M5.1 Earthquake 165 km ESE of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia — January 17, 2026
2026-01-17 06:46:40 UTC (2026-01-17) · approx. 5:46 PM UTC+11 local
Aftershock of the M5.3 mainshock.
On January 17, 2026 at 06:46 UTC, a magnitude 5.1 shallow crustal earthquake struck 165 km ESE of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, at a depth of 20.1 km and coordinates 52.4453°, 160.8488°. This earthquake was detected by 157 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.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 5.3 mainshock that occurred 17 days ago 168 km E of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 5 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
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
160.8488°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.1 earthquake near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia?
The magnitude 5.1 earthquake that struck 165 km ESE of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia on January 17, 2026 at 06:46 UTC had a depth of 20.1 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 52.4453°, 160.8488°, which is 165 km ESE of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, 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.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.3 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 5.1 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.3 mainshock that occurred earlier 168 km E of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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: us7000rq9h). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, January 17, 2026). M5.1 Earthquake 165 km ESE of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia — January 17, 2026. Retrieved May 12, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000rq9h/