M6.1 earthquake hits South Sandwich Islands region
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit the South Sandwich Islands region at 13:48 UTC on January 1, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 83 km (51 miles).
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 2 393 km (1 486 miles) SSW of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, Tristan da Cunha, Saint Helena, and 2 554 km (1 587 miles) ENE of Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.
There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are a mix of vulnerable and earthquake-resistant construction. The predominant vulnerable building types are adobe block with concrete bond beam and unreinforced brick with concrete floor construction.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M6.1 earthquake South Sandwich Islands – USGS – January 1, 2025
2 M6.1 earthquake South Sandwich Islands – EMSC – January 1, 2025
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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