Strong and shallow M6.2 earthquake hits Kuril Islands, Russia
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 struck the Kuril Islands region, Russia, at 07:34 UTC on January 13, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 35.8 km (22.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.3 at a depth of 20 km (12.4 miles).
Epicenter of M6.2 earthquake in Kuril Islands, Russia on January 13, 2026. Credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 133 km (83 miles) SE of Kuril’sk (population 1 607), Russia, and 326 km (203 miles) ENE of Nemuro (population 31 223), Japan.
5 000 people are estimated to have felt light shaking.
There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are moderately resistant to earthquake shaking. The predominant vulnerable building types are reinforced concrete frames with unreinforced brick infill.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M6.2 earthquake Kuril Islands, Russia – USGS – January 13, 2026
2 M6.3 earthquake Kuril Islands, Russia – EMSC – January 13, 2026
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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