M5.1 Earthquake 166 km S of Severo-Kuril’sk, Russia — March 19, 2026
2026-03-19 12:48:51 UTC (2026-03-19) · approx. 10:48 PM UTC+10 local
On March 19, 2026 at 12:48 UTC, a magnitude 5.1 shallow crustal earthquake struck 166 km S of Severo-Kuril’sk, Russia, at a depth of 27.1 km and coordinates 49.1870°, 156.3397°. This earthquake was detected by 85 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 400, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 674 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.0 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
The epicenter is located in Russia, a region characterized by the Kuril-Kamchatka subduction zone on the northwestern Pacific Ring of Fire. The nearest mapped fault system is the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench. View all earthquakes in Russia.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
156.3397°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.1 earthquake near Severo-Kuril’sk, Russia?
The magnitude 5.1 earthquake that struck 166 km S of Severo-Kuril’sk, Russia on March 19, 2026 at 12:48 UTC had a depth of 27.1 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 49.1870°, 156.3397°, which is 166 km S of Severo-Kuril’sk, Russia. View all earthquakes in Russia.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.1 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks and gradually diminish over time.
Has Russia had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in Russia was the M9.0 Kamchatka earthquake of November 4, 1952. Today's magnitude 5.1 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: us6000sheg). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, March 19, 2026). M5.1 Earthquake 166 km S of Severo-Kuril’sk, Russia — March 19, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000sheg/