South Sandwich Islands — A magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck deep beneath the remote South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic on Wednesday morning, shaking ground far from any major population center.

What happened:

The quake hit at 9:39 AM Central Time on Wednesday, November 11, centered in the South Sandwich Islands region. It struck about 105 kilometers, or roughly 65 miles, below the surface. The U.S. Geological Survey reviewed the event and placed it in the volcanic island chain, a part of the South Atlantic known for frequent seismic activity.

Impacts:

Because the quake was so deep and the islands are so remote, shaking at the surface was likely light, and the Geological Survey has received no reports of people feeling the shaking. There are no reports of damage, and no tsunami threat was issued for this quake.

What to do:

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

Stay away from windows and anything that could fall.

After the shaking stops, check for hazards such as broken glass, gas leaks, and damaged walls before moving around.

Be ready for aftershocks, which can follow a quake like this in the hours and days ahead.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), November 11, 2026.