M4.9 Earthquake 33 km W of Malango, Solomon Islands — January 31, 2026
2026-01-31 02:34:38 UTC (2026-01-31) · approx. 1:34 PM UTC+11 local
On January 31, 2026 at 02:34 UTC, a magnitude 4.9 shallow crustal earthquake struck 33 km W of Malango, Solomon Islands, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates -9.6951°, 159.4109°. This earthquake was detected by 20 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 369, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.9 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 338 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.4 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
159.4109°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.9 earthquake near Malango, Solomon Islands?
The magnitude 4.9 earthquake that struck 33 km W of Malango, Solomon Islands on January 31, 2026 at 02:34 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -9.6951°, 159.4109°, which is 33 km W of Malango, Solomon Islands.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.9 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: us6000s9ip). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, January 31, 2026). M4.9 Earthquake 33 km W of Malango, Solomon Islands — January 31, 2026. Retrieved May 14, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000s9ip/