South Sandwich Islands, South Atlantic — A magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck the remote South Sandwich Islands region Friday afternoon.

What happened:

A magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck the South Sandwich Islands region of the South Atlantic at 1:04 PM Central Time on Friday, November 13. The quake was centered about 64 kilometers, or roughly 40 miles, below the surface. The South Sandwich Islands are a remote chain of volcanic islands in the far South Atlantic, far from any major city.

Impacts:

No shaking was reported by people in the area, and no damage has been reported. The islands are uninhabited, and the quake struck far from populated land. The U.S. Geological Survey issued no tsunami threat with this earthquake.

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, heavy furniture, and anything that could fall.

After shaking stops, check yourself and those around you for injuries, and check your home for hazards like gas leaks or broken glass.

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

Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), November 13, 2026.