Unusually powerful M5.3 Earthquake struck on Tuesday Evening 160km from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on January 20th, 2026. Last updated February 16th, 2026.

An unusually powerful Magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck under land 160 kilometer from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania in the evening of Tuesday January 20th, 2026. Roughly 10 million people may have felt this earthquake.

Felt the earthquake? Share this article:

Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Tanzania, 160 kilometer (99 mi) south of Dar es Salaam. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 10 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Jan 20, 2026 20:11 (Dar es Salaam Time) - Jan 20, 2026 17:11 Universal Time.
Location:	160 km south of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Coordinates 8°15'47"S 39°16'27"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.3 Detected by 28 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.059 .
Depth:	10 km (6 mi) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	VII Very Strong On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Tsunami very unlikely While this was a shallow earthquake in a coastal area, it appears to have occurred under land (2 km from the sea) with a magnitude that is usually not strong enough to cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 68% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 98% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 10.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 69% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 98% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 10 million USD.

Roughly 10 million people exposed to shaking

This earthquake may have been felt by around 10 million people. That is the expected population size of the area exposed to a level of shaking of II or higher on the Modified Mercalli scale according to the USGS.

Strong shaking and probably light damage may have been experienced by an estimated 13,450 people. At VI, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 9 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected. All exposure to shaking was within the borders of Tanzania .

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake may have been felt in Tanzania . Kibiti in Pwani, Tanzania is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 71 kilometer (44 mi) south-southeast of Kibiti. The intensity of shaking and damage in Kibiti is estimated to be around level IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (light shaking, likely no damage).

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Dar es Salaam is located 160 km to the north and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Zanzibar is located 234 km to the north (intensity unknown, possibly low). Morogoro is located 239 km to the northwest and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage).

The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake. Where available, the estimated intensity on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in each place is included. Places where this information is omitted likely experienced little impact.

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The graph below overlays a map of the region around the epicenter with earthquake intensity data provided by the US Geographic Survey. The highest intensity level detected for this earthquake is VI.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Risk of aftershocks?

This earthquake did not have any significant foreshocks nor aftershocks occurring within 100km (62 mi) of its epicenter.

Aftershocks are usually at least 1 order of magnitude less strong than main shocks. The more time passes, the smaller the chance and likely strength of any potential aftershocks.

The chance that a significant earthquake like this one is followed by an even larger earthquake is not so large. On average, scientists estimate a 94% chance that a major earthquake will not be followed by an even larger one. It is still adviced to be aware of this risk

This is the strongest earthquake in 5 years

Earthquakes of this strength are not so common in the region, but it's not the first time. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since August 12th, 2020, when a 6 magnitude earthquake hit 119 km (74 mi) further north-northeast. That was also the heaviest earthquake to hit the region in the past 10 years.

In total, 1 earthquake with a magnitude of 5.3 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 10 years.

Tsunami very unlikely

While MAG-6.5+ earthquakes may cause tsunami's, it appears that the epicenter of this earthquake hit under land. In addition, the reported depth is deeper than 100km, making the risk of a tsunami even less likely. However always stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Sources

Last updated 16/02/26 01:58 (). This article contains currently available information about the earthquake and is automatically composed. We continue to update this article up to a few days after the earthquake occurred.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us7000rqva
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20260120_0000260
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

Share this article: