M5.8 Earthquake 113 km SSE of Lata, Solomon Islands — February 16, 2026
2026-02-16 19:23:39 UTC (2026-02-16) · approx. 6:23 AM UTC+11 local
Maximum shaking intensity MMI 4.4 (moderate).
On February 16, 2026 at 19:23 UTC, a magnitude 5.8 shallow crustal earthquake struck 113 km SSE of Lata, Solomon Islands, at a depth of 40.0 km and coordinates -11.5762°, 166.3698°. The USGS PAGER system issued a green alert level for this event, indicating no significant casualties or damage expected. This earthquake was detected by 82 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 518, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.8 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 8 kilotons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 6.1 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
166.3698°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.8 earthquake near Lata, Solomon Islands?
The magnitude 5.8 earthquake that struck 113 km SSE of Lata, Solomon Islands on February 16, 2026 at 19:23 UTC had a depth of 40.0 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -11.5762°, 166.3698°, which is 113 km SSE of Lata, Solomon Islands.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.8 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks 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: us6000s9k6). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, February 16, 2026). M5.8 Earthquake 113 km SSE of Lata, Solomon Islands — February 16, 2026. Retrieved May 14, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000s9k6/