disaster management

Earthquakes in May 2026

In May, two minor earthquakes were felt in Austria. The epicenters were in Vorarlberg and Carinthia.

On May 20 at 6:11 p.m. CEST, a minor earthquake with a magnitude of 1.0 was recorded near Klösterle, Vorarlberg (47.14°N, 10.09°E). It was faintly felt, and a rumbling sound was heard. The intensity was 2 to 3 on the 12-level European Macroseismic Scale (EMS-98).

On May 23 at 9:07 p.m. an earthquake occurred near Dellach im Drautal, Carinthia (46.75°N, 13.07°E). With a magnitude of 1.7, it was clearly felt by several residents. A loud bang was heard, and some people were startled and left the building. The intensity reached 4 on the EMS-98 scale in Dellach.

  Intensity Scale EMS-98

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

  • Degree 2 – Scarcely: The tremor is felt only by a very few individuals at rest and in an especially receptive position indoors.
  • 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 Area

Comment

04. May 2026

06:09

6.0

Philippines, Samar; 11.74°N 125.34°E

Two people injured, some damage, power outages

14. May 2026

17:53

6.2

Indonesia, Banda Sea; 6.15°S 130.38°E

Uninhabited area

15. May 2026

11:22

6.7

Japan, off the east coast; 38.91°N 142.25°E

Power outages, train service disruptions

16. May 2026

14:50

6.7

Antigua and Barbuda, 60 km off the coast; 17.43°N 61.29°W

No major damage reported

18. May 2026

13:44

5.1

China, Liuzhou; 24.50°N 109.27°E

Two fatalities, extensive damage

20. May 2026

17:43

6.6

South Pacific; 55.98°S 122.30°W

Uninhabited area

23. May 2026

07:46

6.0

USA, Hawaii; 19.34°N 155.84°W

Seven buildings destroyed, hospital damaged, power outages, roads blocked

25. May 2026

21:52

6.9

Chile, Calama; 22.39°S 68.64°W

Some damage, landslides, power and water outages

31. May 2026

21:34

6.0

Chile, Valparaiso; 32.81°S 71.86°W

No major damage reported

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