4.4

M4.4 Earthquake south of the Fiji IslandsJanuary 31, 2026

2026-01-31 20:08:32 UTC (2026-01-31) · approx. 8:08 AM UTC+12 local

MagnitudeM4.4(mb)
Time20:08 UTC8:08 AM UTC+12
Depth493.5 kmdeep-focus
Coordinates-24.918°, 179.834°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On January 31, 2026 at 20:08 UTC, a magnitude 4.4 deep-focus earthquake struck south of the Fiji Islands, at a depth of 493.5 km and coordinates -24.9177°, 179.8340°.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.4 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 60 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 655 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at -24.92°, 179.83°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.4 mb
Depth
493.5 km
deep-focus
Location
-24.9177°N
179.8340°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000s5s2
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
298
Stations Used
31
Azimuthal Gap
163.0°
Min Station Distance
7.327°
RMS Residual
0.70 sec
Last Updated
2026-04-23 20:43:18 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.4 earthquake south of the Fiji Islands?

The magnitude 4.4 earthquake that struck south of the Fiji Islands on January 31, 2026 at 20:08 UTC had a depth of 493.5 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.

Were there aftershocks?

Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.4 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.

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: us6000s5s2). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, January 31, 2026). M4.4 Earthquake south of the Fiji IslandsJanuary 31, 2026. Retrieved May 14, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000s5s2/