M5.3 Earthquake 114 km S of Akureyri, Iceland — January 31, 2026
2026-01-31 11:54:50 UTC (2026-01-31) · approx. 10:54 AM UTC-1 local
On January 31, 2026 at 11:54 UTC, a magnitude 5.3 shallow crustal earthquake struck 114 km S of Akureyri, Iceland, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 64.6645°, -17.8422°. This earthquake was detected by 113 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 432, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.3 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 1 kilotons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.7 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
The epicenter is located in Iceland, a region characterized by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian plates diverge at 18-25 mm per year, amplified by the Iceland mantle plume. The nearest mapped fault system is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. View all earthquakes in Iceland.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
-17.8422°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.3 earthquake near Akureyri, Iceland?
The magnitude 5.3 earthquake that struck 114 km S of Akureyri, Iceland on January 31, 2026 at 11:54 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 64.6645°, -17.8422°, which is 114 km S of Akureyri, Iceland. View all earthquakes in Iceland.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.3 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks and gradually diminish over time.
Has Iceland had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in Iceland was the M6.6 South Iceland earthquake of June 17, 2000. Today's magnitude 5.3 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
What should I do after an earthquake?
If you were in the affected area: check yourself and others for injuries, inspect your home for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. For detailed guidance, see our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000s5qs). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, January 31, 2026). M5.3 Earthquake 114 km S of Akureyri, Iceland — January 31, 2026. Retrieved May 14, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000s5qs/