Deep M6.0 earthquake strikes near Shima, Japan

A deep M6.0 earthquake was registered at 22:15 UTC on October 31, 2026, approximately 58 km (36 miles) south-southeast of Shima, Japan. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 352.4 km (219 miles), as reported by the USGS.

The coordinates for the epicenter were 33.8°N, 137.0°E, placing the event in the region near Shima, a city on the southeastern coast of Honshu, Japan. This area is part of Japan’s densely populated Pacific coastal region.

Given the coastal proximity and urbanization of Honshu, critical infrastructure such as highways, rail networks, and coastal ports may be situated within the broader affected region. However, the significant depth of the event would generally reduce its impact on surface infrastructure.

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

USGS issued a green alert for this event, indicating a low likelihood of casualties or damage.

The maximum estimated intensity for this event was III on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale, with a significance index of 554 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), reflecting its magnitude and potential impact.

Japan is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire and experiences frequent seismic activity due to interactions at the convergent boundaries where the Pacific, Philippine Sea, and Eurasian plates meet. Deep earthquakes like this typically occur within the subducting plates beneath the region.

This information was last updated at 22:36 UTC on October 31, 2026.