Shallow M5.5 earthquake hits west of Macquarie Island
A shallow M5.5 earthquake occurred west of Macquarie Island at 06:46 UTC on October 8, 2026. The event originated at a depth of 10.0 km (6.2 miles), according to data provided by USGS.
The epicenter was located at 140.2°E, 52.5°S, in a remote section of the southern Indian Ocean, far from major population centers or inhabited land. Macquarie Island itself is situated between New Zealand and Antarctica.
The area is characterized by its isolation, with no known settlements or critical infrastructure such as airports, shipping ports, or energy facilities in close proximity.
There is no tsunami threat associated with this earthquake, based on its offshore location and available data.
The significance index is 465 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), based on magnitude, felt reports, and estimated impact.
The Macquarie Island region lies near the boundary between the Indo-Australian and Pacific Plates, a known zone of seismic activity with occasional moderate to strong earthquakes.
This information was last updated at 07:02 UTC on October 8, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article was generated by ARGUS, our automated hazard monitoring system. Learn more.