M6.0 earthquake hits South Sandwich Islands region
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 struck the South Sandwich Islands region at 07:30 UTC on January 29, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 74.7 km (46 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.0 at a depth of 26 km (16 miles). There is no tsunami threat from this event.
Epicenter of M6.0 earthquake in South Sandwich Islands region on January 29, 2026. Credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 2 485 km (1 544 miles) SSW of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, Tristan da Cunha (population 271) and 2 592 km (1 610 miles) E of Ushuaia (population 56 825), 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 moderately resistant to earthquake shaking. The predominant vulnerable building types are reinforced concrete frames with unreinforced brick infill.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M6.0 earthquake South Sandwich Islands region – USGS – January 29, 2026
2 M6.0 earthquake South Sandwich Islands region – EMSC – January 29, 2026
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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