Earthquake Update: Key Global Events on January 19, 2026
On January 19, 2026, the world experienced significant seismic activity with multiple earthquakes reported across various regions. An extensive overview of the magnitude and distribution of these earthquakes sheds light on ongoing geological phenomena.
Summary of Earthquake Activity on January 19, 2026
During a 24-hour period, a total of 581 earthquakes were recorded globally. These included:
- 1 quake of magnitude 6.0+
- 6 quakes of magnitude 5.0+
- 39 quakes of magnitude 4.0+
- 173 quakes of magnitude 3.0+
- 362 quakes of magnitude 2.0+
Notably, there were no earthquakes registering a magnitude of 7.0 or higher. The total seismic energy released during this period was estimated at 1.2 x 1014 joules, equivalent to 32.1 gigawatt hours or roughly 27,588 tons of TNT.
Largest Earthquakes Reported
The most significant earthquakes from January 19, 2026, included:
- Magnitude 6.0: South Pacific Ocean, 251 km southeast of Mare Island, New Caledonia – January 20, 2026, 12:02 AM (GMT+11)
- Magnitude 5.6: 88 km north of Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan – January 19, 2026, 11:21 AM (Karachi time)
- Magnitude 5.3: Celebes Sea, 97 km west of Isulan, Philippines – January 20, 2026, 03:00 AM (GMT+8)
- Magnitude 5.2: Kabupaten Sarolangun, 106 km southeast of Sungai Penuh, Indonesia – January 19, 2026, 06:02 PM (Jakarta time)
- Magnitude 5.2: 39 km southwest of Zhaotong, Yunnan, China – January 19, 2026, 07:32 PM (Shanghai time)
Reported Felt Earthquakes
Several earthquakes were reported as felt by residents in various locations:
- Magnitude 4.3: 0.5 km north of San Jose, Provincia de San Jose, Costa Rica – 115 reports on January 19, 2026, 05:06 PM (Costa Rica time)
- Magnitude 3.6: 6.4 km south of Duhok, Iraq – 55 reports on January 19, 2026, 07:48 AM (GMT+3)
- Magnitude 4.4: 20 km west of Taikkyi, Yangon, Myanmar – 37 reports on January 19, 2026, 10:13 PM (Yangon time)
- Magnitude 2.2: 45 km southeast of Bayawan, Philippines – 35 reports on January 19, 2026, 01:26 PM (GMT+8)
This data illuminates not only the frequency of seismic events but also their geographical distribution on January 19, 2026. Understanding these patterns can aid in better preparedness and response to future earthquakes.
