M6.0 Earthquake 277 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia — January 19, 2026
2026-01-19 13:02:19 UTC (2026-01-19) · approx. 12:02 AM UTC+11 local
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On January 19, 2026 at 13:02 UTC, a magnitude 6.0 shallow crustal earthquake struck 277 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia, at a depth of 11.0 km and coordinates -22.4395°, 170.3939°. The USGS PAGER system issued a green alert level for this event, indicating no significant casualties or damage expected. This earthquake was detected by 127 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 554, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 6.0 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 15 kilotons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 8.3 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
ShakeMap — predicted shaking intensity
Modeled ground-motion intensity contoured on the Modified Mercalli scale (MMI). Computed by the USGS from the moment-tensor solution and regional ground-motion prediction equations.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey ShakeMap. View interactive ShakeMap on USGS
Population exposure (USGS PAGER)
Estimated population that experienced each level of shaking. Based on the USGS PAGER rapid impact assessment, which combines ShakeMap output with global population grids.
| Shaking intensity (MMI) | Description | Population exposed |
|---|---|---|
| MMI 4 | light | 2 |
Earthquake Details
170.3939°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 6.0 earthquake near Tadine, New Caledonia?
The magnitude 6.0 earthquake that struck 277 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia on January 19, 2026 at 13:02 UTC had a depth of 11.0 km. For context, this was a strong earthquake capable of causing significant damage.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -22.4395°, 170.3939°, which is 277 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 6.0 earthquakes can continue for weeks to months 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: us7000rqjy). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, January 19, 2026). M6.0 Earthquake 277 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia — January 19, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000rqjy/