M5.0 Earthquake near Kuril Islands — January 14, 2026
2026-01-14 20:36:20 UTC (2026-01-14) · approx. 6:36 AM UTC+10 local
On January 14, 2026 at 20:36 UTC, a magnitude 5.0 shallow crustal earthquake struck near Kuril Islands, at a depth of 35.0 km and coordinates 48.0940°, 154.5422°. This earthquake was detected by 165 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 385, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.0 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 477 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.7 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
154.5422°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.0 earthquake near Kuril Islands?
The magnitude 5.0 earthquake that struck near Kuril Islands on January 14, 2026 at 20:36 UTC had a depth of 35.0 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 48.0940°, 154.5422°, which is near Kuril Islands.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.0 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: us7000rpp8). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, January 14, 2026). M5.0 Earthquake near Kuril Islands — January 14, 2026. Retrieved May 8, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000rpp8/