Strong and shallow M6.1 earthquake hits Volcano Islands, Japan region
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit the Volcano Islands, Japan region at 16:37 UTC on January 21, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 25.5 km (15.8 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Epicenter of M6.1 earthquake in Volcano Islands, Japan region on January 21, 2026. Credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 937 km (582 miles) NNW of Saipan (population 48 220), 957 km (595 miles) NNW of San Jose Village, Tinian (population 15 000), and about 1 090 km (678 miles) NNW of Guam (population centers Yigo and Dededo).
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 resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are heavy wood frame and reinforced/confined masonry construction.
The Volcano Islands form part of the Izu–Bonin–Mariana arc, a subduction zone where the Pacific Plate descends beneath the Philippine Sea Plate. This segment is characterized by frequent intermediate-depth seismic events associated with intra-slab faulting within the descending Pacific Plate.
Earthquakes of M6.0–M6.5 occur routinely in this region and rarely produce surface damage or tsunamigenic displacement.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M6.1 earthquake Volcano Islands, Japan region – USGS – January 21, 2026
2 M6.1 earthquake Volcano Islands, Japan region – EMSC – January 21, 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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