M5.1 Earthquake Strikes Balleny Islands Region

Balleny Islands — A magnitude 5.1 earthquake shook the remote Balleny Islands region in the Southern Ocean early Friday morning, October 30, at 5:12 AM Central Time.

What happened: The quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The Balleny Islands are a remote, uninhabited island group south of New Zealand.

Impacts: No felt reports have been listed for this quake, and no tsunami warning was issued. Because the islands are uninhabited and far from populated coasts, no damage is expected.

What to do:

- Drop, cover, and hold on during shaking.

- Stay away from windows and anything that could fall.

- After the shaking stops, check for hazards around you.

- Be ready for aftershocks, which can follow in the hours after a quake.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), October 30, 2026.