Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 1 hr ago
Two powerful earthquakes strike the Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Two powerful earthquakes struck the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the Atlantic Ocean on October 13.
The USGS recorded a magnitude 6.7 quake, followed less than seven hours later by a magnitude 6.9 quake about 50 miles to its north, between Africa and South America.
Geophysicist Stefan Burns said the quakes could be part of a wider chain reaction that may bring activity closer to faults near the United States.
He linked the events to earlier earthquakes in the Caribbean region and said stress could be passing between connected tectonic plates.
Research shows powerful earthquakes can sometimes trigger activity far away, although scientists describe this as very rare.
That means a wider effect is possible, not certain; the research cited does not establish that these Atlantic quakes will cause an earthquake near the US.
Two earthquakes struck the Mid-Atlantic Ridge on October 13, 2026, according to the US Geological Survey.
The larger quake had a magnitude of 6.9, while an earlier quake measured 6.7.
Geophysicist Stefan Burns said the quakes could be part of a seismic “chain reaction” and warned of possible effects near the US.
Research cited by the Daily Mail says powerful earthquakes can trigger seismic activity thousands of miles away, though distant triggering is rare.
- Who
- The US Geological Survey detected the earthquakes. Geophysicist Stefan Burns commented on their possible significance.
- What
- Two earthquakes of magnitude 6.9 and 6.7 struck the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
- When
- October 13, 2026. The 6.7 quake struck at 1:44am ET and the 6.9 quake at 8:23am ET.
- Where
- Along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between Africa and South America.
- Why
- The sources do not state what caused the earthquakes. Burns said they may reflect seismic stress spreading between connected plates.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck about 50 miles north of the earlier quake.
- Magnitude
- 6.9
- Earlier quake
- Magnitude 6.7
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic Ridge, between Africa and South America
- Distance between quakes
- About 50 miles
- Date
- October 13, 2026
What people are saying
If there is going to be fallout close to land, it would be like something big happening in North America.
Until now, we seismologists have always said, "Don't worry about distant earthquakes triggering local quakes,
a real possibility if the right kind of earthquake happens.
Sources
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