Shallow M6.6 earthquake hits central Mid-Atlantic Ridge
An earthquake measuring M6.6 was recorded at 18:56 UTC on June 17, 2026, along the central Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The event occurred at a shallow depth of 10.0 km (6.2 miles) at coordinates 20.0°S, 0.5°W.
The earthquake’s epicenter was located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, far from populated areas and major landmasses. This region is characterized by continuous tectonic activity due to divergent plate boundaries.
Given the remote, oceanic setting, there are no significant airports, ports, or other critical onshore infrastructure in close proximity to the epicenter.
There is no tsunami threat associated with this earthquake, based on its location and available data.
The significance index is 670 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), based on magnitude, felt reports, and estimated impact.
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a well-known plate boundary separating the South American Plate and the African Plate, where frequent seismic activity occurs due to the divergent tectonic motion.
This information was last updated at 19:14 UTC on June 17, 2026.