M4.9 Earthquake southeast of the Loyalty Islands — January 8, 2026
2026-01-08 12:33:25 UTC (2026-01-08) · approx. 11:33 PM UTC+11 local
On January 8, 2026 at 12:33 UTC, a magnitude 4.9 intermediate depth earthquake struck southeast of the Loyalty Islands, at a depth of 78.7 km and coordinates -22.3579°, 171.5392°. This earthquake was detected by 41 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
171.5392°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.9 earthquake southeast of the Loyalty Islands?
The magnitude 4.9 earthquake that struck southeast of the Loyalty Islands on January 8, 2026 at 12:33 UTC had a depth of 78.7 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -22.3579°, 171.5392°, which is southeast of the Loyalty 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: us7000rnfc). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, January 8, 2026). M4.9 Earthquake southeast of the Loyalty Islands — January 8, 2026. Retrieved May 7, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000rnfc/