Earthquake in West of Macquarie Island Pacific Ocean |

A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck west of Macquarie Island at a shallow depth of 10 km on 20th June 2026. This remote region sits along the highly active Macquarie Ridge, where the Australian Plate and Pacific Plate interact, generating frequent moderate to strong seismic events.

🌍 About Macquarie Island

Macquarie Island is a subantarctic, uninhabited island with a fascinating history and unique geological significance.

It was discovered on 11 July 1810 by Australian sealer Frederick Hasselborough, who was searching for new sealing grounds.
Hasselborough claimed the island for Britain and annexed it to the colony of New South Wales in the same year.
The island was named after Colonel Lachlan Macquarie, Governor of New South Wales from 1810 to 1821.

🏺 The Mysterious Ancient Wreck

During his exploration, Hasselborough reported finding a “wreck of ancient design” high in the island’s grasslands. This sparked long‑standing speculation that Polynesians or other early voyagers may have reached the island long before European discovery.

Later in 1810, Captain Smith described what was likely the same wreck and incorrectly speculated that it belonged to the lost expedition of French explorer Jean‑François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse, noting:

“Several pieces of wreck of a large vessel on this Island, apparently very old and high up in the grass…”

While the true origin of the wreck remains unknown, it adds an intriguing archaeological mystery to the island’s history.

📌 Summary

The M5.7 earthquake west of Macquarie Island is consistent with the region’s active tectonic setting. Combined with the island’s unusual history — from early sealing expeditions to the enigmatic ancient wreck — Macquarie Island remains one of the most geologically and historically intriguing locations in the Southern Ocean.