Shallow M5.7 earthquake hits Scotia Sea
An M5.7 earthquake was registered at 07:40 UTC on August 22, 2026, in the Scotia Sea. The quake occurred at a shallow depth of 10.0 km (6.2 miles), based on reviewed data by USGS.
The coordinates for the epicenter are -47.3°S, 60.3°W, placing the earthquake in the remote waters of the Scotia Sea, which lies between the southeastern tip of South America and the northern edge of Antarctica. There are no major settlements or permanent populations in the immediate vicinity due to the largely oceanic setting.
Given the Scotia Sea’s remote marine location, there are no significant land-based critical infrastructure elements such as airports, highways, or energy facilities nearby. Maritime navigation is the primary concern in this region.
There is no tsunami threat associated with this earthquake, based on its location and available data.
The significance index is 500 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), based on magnitude and estimated impact in the region.
The Scotia Sea is a tectonically active area, marking the complex boundaries between the South American Plate, the Antarctic Plate, and the Scotia Plate, commonly experiencing moderate to strong seismic activity.
This information was last updated at 07:58 UTC on August 22, 2026.