M4.5 Earthquake 12 km ENE of Lata, Solomon Islands — January 7, 2026
2026-01-07 21:08:46 UTC (2026-01-07) · approx. 8:08 AM UTC+11 local
On January 7, 2026 at 21:08 UTC, a magnitude 4.5 intermediate depth earthquake struck 12 km ENE of Lata, Solomon Islands, at a depth of 136.0 km and coordinates -10.6837°, 165.9006°. This earthquake was detected by 37 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 312, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 85 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 767 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
165.9006°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.5 earthquake near Lata, Solomon Islands?
The magnitude 4.5 earthquake that struck 12 km ENE of Lata, Solomon Islands on January 7, 2026 at 21:08 UTC had a depth of 136.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -10.6837°, 165.9006°, which is 12 km ENE of Lata, Solomon Islands.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.5 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: us7000rnay). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, January 7, 2026). M4.5 Earthquake 12 km ENE of Lata, Solomon Islands — January 7, 2026. Retrieved May 8, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000rnay/