A significant earthquake struck the Reykjanes Ridge in the North Atlantic Ocean on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 10:09 a.m. Eastern Time. The magnitude 6.9 earthquake, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), had a preliminary depth of 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) and was centered at coordinates (52.4601, -32.1106) 1.
Seismic Activity and Tectonic Context
The Reykjanes Ridge is a seismically active underwater segment of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart. This region has experienced several significant earthquakes in recent years, including a magnitude 7.1 event in 2015 1.
Impact and Response
Despite its significant magnitude, the earthquake did not pose a tsunami threat to the U.S. East Coast, the Gulf of Mexico states, or the eastern coast of Canada. The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) did not issue any warnings or advisories, indicating that there was “no tsunami danger” in these areas 1.
The location of the earthquake was far from any populated areas, with Nanortalik in Greenland being the closest settlement—more than 700 miles (1,170 kilometers) away. According to the USGS, no population was expected to have felt the tremor 1.
Global Seismic Activity
Thursday’s earthquake is part of a recent surge in global seismic activity. In the past week, there have been six magnitude 6.0 or greater earthquakes reported globally, including a devastating magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Myanmar, resulting in over 3,000 confirmed deaths 1.
Monitoring and Future Risks
Seismologists note that the recent activity is consistent with global patterns of regular seismic behavior. The Reykjanes Ridge has been experiencing increased seismic activity since the early 1900s, and continued monitoring is essential to understand the underlying tectonic processes 5.
