5.2

M5.2 Earthquake 178 km S of Severo-Kuril’sk, RussiaJanuary 13, 2026

2026-01-13 00:34:15 UTC (2026-01-13) · approx. 10:34 AM UTC+10 local

MagnitudeM5.2(mww)
Time00:34 UTC10:34 AM UTC+10
Depth10.0 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates49.084°, 156.421°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On January 13, 2026 at 00:34 UTC, a magnitude 5.2 shallow crustal earthquake struck 178 km S of Severo-Kuril’sk, Russia, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 49.0845°, 156.4212°. This earthquake was detected by 114 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 416, placing it among routine seismic activity.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.2 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 951 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.3 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

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 49.08°, 156.42°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
5.2 mww
Depth
10.0 km
shallow crustal
Location
49.0845°N
156.4212°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us7000rpaq
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
416
Stations Used
114
Azimuthal Gap
94.0°
Min Station Distance
4.109°
RMS Residual
0.68 sec
Last Updated
2026-04-10 15:20:46 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 5.2 earthquake near Severo-Kuril’sk, Russia?

The magnitude 5.2 earthquake that struck 178 km S of Severo-Kuril’sk, Russia on January 13, 2026 at 00:34 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.

Where did the earthquake occur?

The earthquake epicenter was located at 49.0845°, 156.4212°, which is 178 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 5.2 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 5.2 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: us7000rpaq). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, January 13, 2026). M5.2 Earthquake 178 km S of Severo-Kuril’sk, RussiaJanuary 13, 2026. Retrieved May 12, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000rpaq/