Strong and shallow M6.0 earthquake hits Volcano Islands, Japan region
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 struck the Volcano Islands, Japan region at 03:55 UTC on March 2, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 20 km (12.4 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Epicenter of M6.0 earthquake in Volcano Islands, Japan region on March 2 2026. Credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 882 km (548 miles) north of Saipan (population 48 220), and 906 km (563 miles) north of San Jose Village, Tinian (population 15 000), Northern Mariana Islands.
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. No affected structures or city exposure data were reported.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M6.0 earthquake Volcano Islands, Japan region – USGS – March 2, 2026
2 M6.0 earthquake Volcano Islands, Japan region – EMSC – March 2, 2026
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
Lots seem to spark-off last few hours. Even the shallow events US Tonopah (weapon-related?), mid-west.
Almost equinox, almost full-moon. B-field deltas from NOAA while not unusual, casually interesting, associative?