Shallow M5.5 earthquake hits Volcano Islands, Japan region

An earthquake measuring M5.5 occurred at 11:12 UTC on October 4, 2026, in the Volcano Islands region, Japan. The event was registered at a shallow depth of 10.0 km (6.2 miles), with the epicenter located at coordinates 144.7°E, 22.8°N.

The coordinates place the earthquake in a remote section of the northwest Pacific, associated with the Volcano Islands chain, which lies south of the main Japanese archipelago and is uninhabited except for military presence on some islands. No nearby population centers are present within immediate proximity.

Given its location in the Volcano Islands region, critical infrastructure is limited. The remote nature of the area means there are no major civilian airports, ports, or highways nearby, though military facilities may exist on certain islands.

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

The significance index is 465 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), based on magnitude, felt reports, and estimated impact.

Japan sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where several tectonic plates—including the Pacific Plate and Philippine Sea Plate—interact, making the region highly seismically active.

This information was last updated at 11:32 UTC on October 4, 2026.