Small magnitude 3.6 earthquake 8 km northeast of Blida, Algeria

An earthquake of magnitude 3.6 occurred only 27 minutes ago 8 km northeast of Blida, Algeria, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) reported.
The quake hit at a very shallow depth of 1. km beneath the epicenter near Blida, Wilaya de Blida, Algeria, early evening on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026, at 6:06 pm local time. The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report.
A second report was later issued by Spain's Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN), which listed it as a magnitude 3.6 earthquake as well.
Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake was probably felt by many people in the area of the epicenter. It should not have caused significant damage, other than objects falling from shelves, broken windows, etc.
In Souma (pop. 40,700) located 3 km from the epicenter, and Beni Mered (pop. 92,700) 6 km away, the quake should have been felt as light shaking.
Weak shaking might have been felt in Blida (pop. 331,800) located 8 km from the epicenter, Bouinan (pop. 30,300) 8 km away, Boufarik (pop. 57,200) 9 km away, Bou Arfa (pop. 44,100) 9 km away, Beni Tamou (pop. 33,800) 10 km away, and Bougara (pop. 38,400) 16 km away.
Other towns or cities near the epicenter where the quake might have been felt as very weak shaking include Medea (pop. 145,400) located 29 km from the epicenter, and Algiers (pop. 2,364,200) 31 km away.

Earthquake data:
Date & time: Mar 3, 2026 06:06 pm (GMT +1) local time (3 Mar 2026 17:06 GMT)
Magnitude: 3.6
Depth: 1.00 km
Epicenter latitude / longitude: 36.49°N / 2.91°E (Ouled Yaich, Wilaya de Blida, Algeria)
Primary data source: EMSC
https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/earthquake/news/296535/Small-magnitude-36-earthquake-8-km-northeast-of-Blida-Algeria.html