Shallow M5.5 earthquake hits near Hamakita, Japan on November 7, 2026
A shallow M5.5 earthquake was recorded at 16:04 UTC on November 7, 2026, approximately 10 km (6 miles) northwest of Hamakita, Japan. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 38.1 km (23.7 miles), based on information provided by USGS.
The epicenter was located at coordinates 137.7°E, 34.9°N, in the vicinity of Hamakita in the central region of Honshu, Japan. This area is inland and is characterized by several towns and cities with significant population densities within the broader region of Shizuoka Prefecture.
Critical infrastructure in this part of Japan may include major transportation routes such as highways and rail lines, as well as industrial and energy facilities, given the general urbanization and economic activity of the region.
Since this earthquake occurred inland, there is no tsunami threat associated with this event, 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 reached V, and USGS received 20 felt reports. The significance index is 475 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), based on magnitude, felt reports, and estimated impact.
Central Japan is situated along the boundary of the Pacific and Philippine Sea plates, an area known for frequent seismic activity due to subduction and complex tectonic interactions. The region regularly experiences moderate to strong earthquakes, as part of the broader seismic setting of the Japanese archipelago.
This information was last updated at 16:42 UTC on November 7, 2026.