disaster management, geophysics

Earthquakes in March 2026

In March, four earthquakes were felt by the population in Austria. Two epicenters were located in Styria, one in Upper Austria and one in Friuli, Italy.

On March 1 at 5:16 a.m. CET, a magnitude 2.7 earthquake was felt by residents in Mürzzuschlag, Styria (47.60°N, 15.71°E). Many people noticed a tremor, and objects moved slightly. At the epicenter, the intensity reached 3 to 4 on the 12-level European Macroseismic Scale (EMS-98). The quake was felt within a radius of about 10 km.

On March 19, at 1:30 a.m., a mild earthquake with a magnitude of 2.4 occurred southwest of St. Peter ob Judenburg, Styria (47.19°N, 14.54°E). It was felt sporadically in Scheifling, with an intensity of 3 on the EMS-98 scale.

Also on March 19, at 11:28 a.m., the earth shook in Friuli, Italy (46.45°N, 13.19°E). The epicenter was located about 14 km northeast of Tolmezzo. The tremors of the magnitude 4.1 earthquake were also noticed in Austria, particularly in Carinthia. They were felt most strongly in the area of Egg bei Hermagor and in Kötschach-Mauthen. Individual reports of the tremors were also received from East Tyrol, Salzburg and Styria. The intensity in Austria reached a maximum of 4 on the EMS-98 scale.

A weak earthquake with a magnitude of 1.2 was felt on March 24 at 6:15 p.m. in Kleinzell im Mühlkreis, Upper Austria (48.46°N, 14.00°E). A slight tremor and rumbling of the ground were perceived. The intensity was 3 on the EMS-98 scale.

Map graphics

Earthquakes_March_2026.png

Epicenters and intensities of the earthquakes felt in Austria in March 2026. For the earthquake in Italy, the maximum intensity in Austria is given in the map. © GeoSphere Austria.

Intensity Scale EMS-98

Excerpt from the short form of the 12-level European Macroseismic Scale 1998, based on Mercalli-Sieberg.

  • Degree 3 – Weak: The earthquake is felt indoors by a few. People at rest feel a swaying or light trembling. Hanging objects swing slightly.
  • Degree 4 – Largely observed: The earthquake is felt indoors by many and felt outdoors only by very few. A few people are awakened, the vibration is moderate, slight trembling of the building or room. Glasses, windows and doors rattle, light furniture shakes visibly.

Strong earthquakes worldwide

Date

Time (UTC)

M

Epicentral

Comment

01. March 2026

05:44

6.3

Fiji Islands; 21.80°S  179.45°W

Depth 579 km

03. March 2026

04:56

6.2

Indonesia, off the coast of Sumatra; 2.01°N  96.70°E

 

04. March 2026

17:54

6.4

USA, Alaska; 52.31°N  176.36°E

 

08. March 2026

03:32

5.5

Greece, Northwest; 39.72°N  20.71°E

140 old stone houses severely damaged

13. March 2026

13:39

6.3

Chile, off the coast; 28.68°S  71.63°W

 

20. March 2026

00:22

6.6

South Shetland Islands; 61.15°S  56.27°W

 

22. March 2026

15:30

6.3

Tonga; 15.23°S  172.68°W

 

24. March 2026

04:37

7.5

Tonga; 18.67°S  175.56°W

Depth 229 km

26. March 2026

14:18

6.5

Japan, 110 km off the coast of Honshu; 39.45°N  143.37°E

 

30. March 2026

08:44

7.3

Vanuatu, 48 km ENE of Luganville; 15.31°S  167.56°E

Several people injured, many buildings damaged, the airport runway damaged, disruptions to water and power supplies

UTC (Universal Time Coordinated) = GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)
Data for worldwide earthquakes according to U.S. Geological Survey
M: Magnitude (logarithmic energy scale)
Information provided without guarantee

Seismological Service of Austria - GeoSphere Austria
Hohe Warte 38, A-1190 Vienna
Tel. +43 1 36026 2508
E-Mail: seismo@geosphere.at

Further information