M4.5 Earthquake 278 km N of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands — January 1, 2026
2026-01-01 22:13:04 UTC (2026-01-01) · approx. 8:13 AM UTC+10 local
On January 1, 2026 at 22:13 UTC, a magnitude 4.5 intermediate depth earthquake struck 278 km N of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, at a depth of 120.3 km and coordinates 17.7176°, 145.9978°. This earthquake was detected by 48 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 312, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 85 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 767 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
145.9978°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.5 earthquake near Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands?
The magnitude 4.5 earthquake that struck 278 km N of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands on January 1, 2026 at 22:13 UTC had a depth of 120.3 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 17.7176°, 145.9978°, which is 278 km N of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.5 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: us7000rre0). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, January 1, 2026). M4.5 Earthquake 278 km N of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands — January 1, 2026. Retrieved May 15, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000rre0/