Very strong and shallow M7.0 earthquake – southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge

A very strong and shallow earthquake M7.0 was registered at southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 12:51 UTC on June 17, 2015. USGS reports depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC reports Mw6.9 at a depth of 10 km.

According to the USGS, epicenter was located 495 km (308 miles) WNW of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, Saint Helena, 2 749 km (1 708 miles) SE of Arraial do Cabo, Brazil and 3 511 km (2 182 miles) ESE of Montevideo, Uruguay.

There are no people living within 100 km radius. Tsunami is not expected.

USGS issue green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.

The following image shows historic seismicity in this region, since 1950 – June 17, 2015:

Regional seismicity 1960 – June 17, 2015. Image credit: EMSC (Edit: TW)

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a mid-ocean ridge, a divergent tectonic plate boundary located along the floor of the Atlantic Ocean, and part of the longest mountain range in the world. It separates the Eurasian Plate and North American Plate in the North Atlantic, and the African Plate from the South American Plate in the South Atlantic.

Although the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is mostly an underwater feature, portions of it have enough elevation to extend above sea level. The section of the ridge which includes the island of Iceland is also known as the Reykjanes Ridge. The average spreading rate for the ridge is about 2.5 cm per year.

Featured image credit: USGS