Significant M5.5 Earthquake hit near Ciudad Sandino in Nicaragua on Thursday Morning.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on March 26th, 2026. Last updated April 22nd, 2026.

In the morning of Thursday March 26th, 2026, a significant Magnitude 5.5 earthquake hit under land 3 kilometer from Ciudad Sandino in Nicaragua. Around 8 million people have been exposed to shaking. Honduras, Costa Rica and El Salvador are also near its epicenter.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Nicaragua, 3 kilometer (2 mi) southwest of Ciudad Sandino in Managua. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 160 km.

Date and Time:	Mar 26, 2026 11:15AM (Managua Time) - Mar 26, 2026 17:15 Universal Time.
Location:	3 km SW of Ciudad Sandino, Managua, Nicaragua. Coordinates 12°8'52"N 86°21'57"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.5 Detected by 60 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.04 .
Depth:	160 km (99 mi) An intermediate depth.
Max. Intensity:	IV Light On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Tsunami very unlikely Tsunami's are usually caused by MAG-6.5+ earthquakes, less than 100km shallow, and with an epicenter under sea. Neither of this seems to be the case. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 90% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 90% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact.

Roughly 8 million people exposed to shaking

The USGS has published a report estimating the number of people exposed to this earthquake. Acoording to their analysis, roughly 8 million have been exposed to shaking at an MMI level of II or higher.

An estimated 6,111,000 people were exposed to level III. At this level, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected.

People in 4 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Nicaragua , around 6.1 million people, with impact levels up to III (weak shaking, probably no damage). In Honduras , around 0.9 million people. Roughly 590 thousand people were exposed to shaking in El Salvador . In Costa Rica, shaking was experienced too.

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake struck within proximity of multiple countries. Nicaragua , Honduras , Costa Rica and El Salvador are all within 300km distance of its epicenter.

Located 3 kilometer (2 mi) southwest of the epicenter of this earthquake, Ciudad Sandino (Managua, Nicaragua) is the nearest significant population center. Ciudad Sandino experienced an earthquake intensity (MMI Scale) of roughly III. That level implies weak shaking and probably no damage.

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Managua is located 13 km to the east and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Masaya is located 35 km to the south-east and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Tegucigalpa is located 234 km to the northwest (intensity unknown, possibly low).

The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake. Where available, the estimated intensity on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in each place is included. Places where this information is omitted likely experienced little impact.

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is III. The map below shows in which areas this earthquake was the most and least impactful. It is based on data from the US Geographic Survey.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Shaking reported by 6 people in 2 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 6 people have reported shaking in 5 places in 2 countries (Nicaragua, Costa Rica).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Sámara, Guanacaste, Costa Rica: 2 people.
• Tola, Rivas, Nicaragua: 1 person.
• Managua, Managua, Nicaragua: 1 person.
• San Juan del Sur, Rivas, Nicaragua: 1 person.
• Bagaces, Guanacaste, Costa Rica: 1 person.

2 Aftershocks detected

This main shock was followed by 2 smaller aftershocks. Just 2 hrs after this main shock, an earthquake measuring MAG-3.2 was detected 88 km (55 mi) west of this earthquake.

In the days before this main shock, 1 smaller foreshock was detected. A 2.5 magnitude earthquake hit 13 hrs earlier nearby.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

More earthquakes coming?

Aftershocks are usually at least 1 order of magnitude less strong than main shocks. The more time passes, the smaller the chance and likely strength of any potential aftershocks.

It's always adviced to be cautious of the risk of a larger shock following any significant earthquake, however this risk is fairly small. There is a roughly 94 percent change that no larger main shock will follow in the days following this earthquake.

Earthquakes like this happen often in the region

Earthquakes of this strength are very common in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since December 9th, 2024, when a 5.6 magnitude earthquake hit 205 km (128 mi) further northwest. An even stronger magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck on November 24th, 2016.

In total, 26 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.5 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 5 months.

Tsunami very unlikely

It is very unlikely that this eartquake will cause any tsunami's. The reported magnitude is lower than the MAG-6.5 strength required to cause any earthquakes. In addition, this earthquake was not very shallow and appears to have occurred under land. However always stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Sources

Last updated 22/04/26 19:58 (). As more information on this earthquake becomes available this article will be updated. This article is automatically composed based on data originating from multiple sources.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us7000s7w6
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20260326_0000295
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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