Strong and shallow M6.0 earthquake hits off the coast of Oregon
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 struck off the coast of Oregon, United States, at 03:25 UTC on January 16, 2026 (19:25 LT, January 15). The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Epicenter of M6.0 earthquake off the coast of Oregon, United States, on January 16, 2026. Credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 295 km (183 miles) west of Bandon (population 3 115), 306 km (190 miles) west of Coos Bay (population 16 182), and 338 km (210 miles) west-southwest of Newport (population 10 268), Oregon, United States.
According to the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC), a tsunami is not expected.
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.
According to the USGS aftershock forecast, the chance of at least one aftershock within the next week is less than 1% for a magnitude 7 or greater event, less than 1% for M6+, about 8% for M5+, 36% for M4+, and 80% for M3+. Aftershock rates are expected to decrease over time but may remain elevated for months.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M6.0 earthquake off the coast of Oregon — USGS — January 16, 2026
2 M6.0 earthquake off the coast of Oregon — EMSC — January 16, 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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