Strong earthquake · March 20, 2026
M 6.5 Earthquake, South Shetland Islands
A magnitude 6.5 (mww) earthquake struck South Shetland Islands on March 20, 2026 at 00:22 UTC, at a depth of about 21 km (13 mi), according to the USGS. The USGS PAGER alert level is green.
Updated Jun 4, 2026, 2:37 PM EDT (USGS snapshot)
This is not an early-warning system. For tsunami warnings see tsunami.gov; for emergencies follow local authorities.
| Magnitude | 6.5 mww (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Time (UTC) | |
| U.S. Eastern Time | Mar 19, 2026, 8:22 PM EDT |
| Location | South Shetland Islands |
| Coordinates | 61.188° S, 56.403° W |
| Depth | 21.0 km (13.0 mi), shallow |
| Felt reports | None reported |
| ShakeMap intensity | MMI 4.9 (estimated maximum) |
| Tsunami flag | No |
| PAGER alert | Green |
| USGS event ID | us6000shlp |
Source: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, event us6000shlp. Last updated by the USGS Jun 4, 2026, 18:37:52 UTC.
What the numbers mean
- Tsunami flag
- The USGS sets this flag for large events in oceanic regions. It does not mean a tsunami happened or will happen. Official tsunami warnings come from the NOAA Tsunami Warning Centers at tsunami.gov.
- PAGER alert
- An automatic USGS estimate of likely fatalities and economic losses: green (little or none), yellow, orange, or red (highest). It can change as more data arrives.
- Felt reports
- People who felt shaking can describe it through the USGS "Did You Feel It?" survey on the event page. The count grows for hours or days after an event.
- Local time
- The local time at the epicenter is not shown because the area spans more than one time zone or is offshore.
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After an earthquake
Expect aftershocks. If you are near the coast and feel strong or long shaking, move to high ground right away without waiting for an official warning. Check on neighbors and follow instructions from local emergency officials.
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