Shallow M5.5 earthquake hits east of Kuril’sk, Russia

An M5.5 earthquake was recorded at 23:52 UTC on September 4, 2026, approximately 156 km (97 miles) east of Kuril’sk, Russia. The tremor occurred at a depth of 36.4 km (22.6 miles), according to information provided by the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The earthquake’s epicenter was located at 45.0°N, 149.8°E, which places it offshore in the northwestern Pacific Ocean to the east of the southern Kuril Islands. Kuril’sk is the closest notable settlement, though the immediate region is characterized by sparse population and remote island terrain.

Given its offshore location near the Kuril Island chain, the affected area may include vital marine infrastructure such as shipping routes, fisheries, and limited coastal facilities. The remoteness of the area reduces the likelihood of direct impact on critical land-based infrastructure.

There is no tsunami threat associated with this earthquake, based on its location and available data.

The maximum estimated shaking intensity was IV, and the significance index for this event is 465 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), reflecting its magnitude and potential impact.

The Kuril Islands are located along the seismically active boundary between the Pacific Plate and the Okhotsk Plate, a region well known for frequently generating moderate to strong earthquakes.

This information was last updated at 00:15 UTC on September 5, 2026.

For more information, see the USGS event page: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us7000tefx