South Indian Ocean — A magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck in the remote South Indian Ocean on Wednesday afternoon, November 4.

WHAT HAPPENED:

The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the quake at 2:06 p.m. Central Time. It happened about 10 kilometers below the ocean floor, in open water far from any coastline. The epicenter sat near 1.4 degrees south latitude and 88.1 degrees east longitude, in the southern Indian Ocean.

IMPACTS:

No shaking was reported on land, and no damage reports have come in. The earthquake happened far from populated areas, so no communities felt it. No tsunami was generated by this quake, and no tsunami threat was issued.

WHAT TO DO:

- If you ever feel shaking, drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy table, and hold on until the shaking stops.

- Stay away from windows, bookcases, and anything that could fall.

- After a quake, check for hazards like gas leaks, broken glass, and damaged walls before moving around.

- Be ready for aftershocks. Smaller quakes can follow the main one for hours or days.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), November 4, 2026.