Earthquake · South Shetland Islands
M6.5 earthquake near South Shetland Islands
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck South Shetland Islands on 20 March 2026 at 00:22 UTC, at a depth of 21 km.
- Magnitude
- 6.5 mww
- When
- 20 March 2026, 00:22 UTC
- Depth
- 21 km
- Location
- 61.19° S, 56.40° W
- Strongest shaking (estimated)
- Intensity V (moderate)
- USGS PAGER alert
- Green
- Source
- USGS event page
What it means
A magnitude 6.5 is a strong earthquake; there are about 130 a year worldwide, and they can cause damage in populated areas near the epicentre. At 21 km deep it was a shallow earthquake, which usually means stronger shaking near the epicentre.
The magnitude may be revised as more data comes in. Read Earthquake magnitude explained for what the numbers mean.
Aftershocks
7 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or more within 150 km in the 30 days after; the largest was a magnitude 5.2.
| Mag | Where | When (UTC) |
|---|---|---|
| 5.2 | South Shetland Islands | 9 April 2026, 21:59 |
| 5.1 | South Shetland Islands | 20 March 2026, 01:15 |
| 5.0 | South Shetland Islands | 9 April 2026, 21:59 |
| 4.6 | South Shetland Islands | 20 March 2026, 00:50 |
| 4.6 | South Shetland Islands | 10 April 2026, 13:16 |
| 4.5 | South Shetland Islands | 20 March 2026, 16:16 |
| 4.4 | South Shetland Islands | 24 March 2026, 03:33 |
QuakeEarthquakes, live and near you. Free for Android.
See the app StormHurricanes, typhoons and severe storms. Free for Android.
See the app VolcanoEruptions and alert levels. Free for Android.
See the app Not an official warning service. In an emergency, follow your local authorities.