The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: October 22-28, 2026
New activity/unrest was reported for 5 volcanoes from October 22-28, 2026. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 23 volcanoes.
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Strong and shallow M6.4 earthquake hits southeast of Easter Island
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.4 hit southeast of Easter Island, Chile at 07:49 UTC on October 29, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.4 at a depth of 3 km (1.9 miles).
Strong and deep M6.5 earthquake hits Bonin Islands, Japan region
A strong and deep earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.5 hit the Bonin Islands, Japan region at 02:09 UTC (11:09 LT) on October 25, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 492.4 km (306 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.5 the same magnitude and depth.
Strong and shallow M6.3 earthquake hits Vanuatu
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 hit Vanuatu at 04:20 UTC on October 20, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 16 km (9.9 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.3 at a depth of 5 km (3.1 miles). According to the NWS Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
Japan’s JMA apologizes after issuing false M9.9 earthquake warning across large parts of Japan
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued an erroneous M9.9 earthquake early warning across large parts of Japan on October 16, 2026, following an actual M6.9 earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. The warning was issued at 03:40 UTC, triggering the automatic suspension of Tokaido Shinkansen services before being withdrawn approximately eight minutes later. JMA apologized and began investigating the magnitude estimation error.
The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: October 8-14, 2026
New activity/unrest was reported for 4 volcanoes from October 8-14, 2026. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 23 volcanoes.
Strong M6.9 earthquake hits Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.9 hit Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia at 03:35 UTC (15:35 LT) on October 16, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 135 km (83.9 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.9 at a depth of 130 km (80.8 miles). According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
Strong and shallow M6.9 earthquake hits central Mid-Atlantic Ridge
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.9 hit the central Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 12:23 UTC on October 13, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth. The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. According to the NWS Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), there is no tsunami threat to Caribbean coasts from this earthquake.
Major M7.6 earthquake damages buildings across Panama, tsunami threat ends
A major M7.6 earthquake struck central Panama at 17:56 UTC (12:56 local time) on October 9, 2026, causing structural damage, injuries, widespread evacuations and disruptions to electricity, transportation and public services. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) ended the associated tsunami threat at 19:40 UTC, while authorities continued assessing damage and monitoring aftershocks.
G2 geomagnetic storm forecast for October 9 as CME approaches Earth
G1–G2 (Minor–Moderate) geomagnetic storms are likely on October 9, 2026, as a coronal mass ejection (CME) associated with an M1.4 flare on October 6, 2026 reaches Earth. The strongest activity is forecast during the 18:00–21:00 UTC period today, with G2 conditions also forecast for the following three-hour interval, ending at 00:00 UTC on October 10.
