South Sandwich Islands — A magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck the South Sandwich Islands region in the South Atlantic on Monday evening, November 9, at 5:40 p.m. Central Time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

What happened:

The quake was centered in the remote South Sandwich Islands region, about 6 miles below the surface. The U.S. Geological Survey reviewed the event and recorded a magnitude of 4.9. The islands sit in the far South Atlantic, a volcanic island chain far from any mainland city.

Impacts:

No shaking was reported from populated areas, and no damage has been reported. The USGS issued no tsunami warning for this earthquake, and no tsunami threat was indicated. The islands are uninhabited, so no communities were in the shaking zone.

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 and anything that could fall. After a quake, check for hazards like gas leaks or damaged wiring, and be ready for aftershocks, which can follow a larger quake.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), November 9, 2026.