On Monday Night a Significant M5.9 Earthquake struck near Obihiro in Japan.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on April 26th, 2026. Last updated June 25th, 2026.

A significant M5.9 earthquake struck under land 34 kilometer from Obihiro in Japan in the early morning of Monday April 27th, 2026. Roughly 5 million people may have felt this earthquake.

Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Japan, 34 kilometer (21 mi) southwest of Obihiro in Hokkaido. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 81 km.

Date and Time:	Apr 27, 2026 05:23 (Tokyo Time) - Apr 26, 2026 20:23 Universal Time.
Location:	34 km SW of Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan. Coordinates 42°41'28"N 142°54'54"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.9 Detected by 35 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.052 .
Depth:	81 km (50 mi) An intermediate depth.
Max. Intensity:	V Moderate On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Tsunami very unlikely While this was a shallow earthquake, it appears to have occurred under land with a magnitude not strong enough to cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

The US Geographic Survey (USGS) describes the impact of this earthquake as follows:

Items knocked from shelves and exhibit glass cracked in a musem at Honcho.

Based on scientific estimates by the USGS, the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 90% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 90% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact.

Roughly 5 million people exposed to shaking

This earthquake may have been felt by around 5 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.

The highest earthquake impact level for this earthquake is V, which corresponds with moderate shaking and very light damage. Roughly 304,100 people are expected to be exposed to this level. Intensity level IV was experienced by the majority of people (around 4.3 million). In their region, light shaking and likely no damage can be expected.

People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Japan , around 5 million people, with impact levels up to V (moderate shaking, very light damage). In Russia, shaking was experienced too.

People	MMI Level	Shaking	Damage
0	I	Not noticable	None
0	II	Very weak	None
361,000	III	Weak	Probably none
4,341,000	IV	Light	Likely none
304,100	V	Moderate	Very light
0	VI	Strong	Light
0	VII	Very Strong	Moderate
0	VIII	Severe	Moderate to heavy
0	IX	Violent	Heavy
0	X	Extreme	Very heavy

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake may have been felt in Japan . Located 34 kilometer (21 mi) southwest of the epicenter of this earthquake, Obihiro (Hokkaido, Japan) is the nearest significant population center. The intensity of shaking and damage in Obihiro is estimated to be around level IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (light shaking, likely no damage).

Major cities near this earthquake: Sapporo is located 134 km to the west and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Obihiro is located 34 km to the north-east and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Asahikawa is located 128 km to the north and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage).

A complete list of nearby places is included below. Estimated intensity data (MMI) sourced from a shake-map published by the US Geographic Survey is shown where available (cities without data probably experienced little impact).

Overview of nearby places

Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.
Distance	Place	Intensity (MMI)
34 km (21 mi) NE from epicenter	Obihiro Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
41 km (25 mi) NE from epicenter	Otofuke Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
60 km (37 mi) SW from epicenter	Shizunai-furukawachō Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
85 km (53 mi) NW from epicenter	Shimo-furano Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
104 km (65 mi) W from epicenter	Chitose Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
107 km (66 mi) W from epicenter	Tomakomai Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
109 km (68 mi) NW from epicenter	Ashibetsu Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
110 km (68 mi) NW from epicenter	Iwamizawa Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
111 km (69 mi) NW from epicenter	Bibai Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
114 km (71 mi) W from epicenter	Kitahiroshima Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
120 km (75 mi) W from epicenter	Ebetsu Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
121 km (75 mi) NW from epicenter	Sunagawa Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
123 km (76 mi) E from epicenter	Kushiro Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
126 km (78 mi) NW from epicenter	Takikawa Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
128 km (80 mi) N from epicenter	Asahikawa Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
128 km (80 mi) NW from epicenter	Tōbetsu Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
129 km (80 mi) W from epicenter	Shiraoi Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
134 km (83 mi) W from epicenter	Sapporo Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
134 km (83 mi) NW from epicenter	Fukagawa Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
141 km (88 mi) NW from epicenter	Ishikari Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
147 km (91 mi) NE from epicenter	Kitami Hokkaido, Japan.	III Weak
158 km (98 mi) NE from epicenter	Motomachi Hokkaido, Japan.	III Weak
163 km (101 mi) W from epicenter	Muroran Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
165 km (103 mi) W from epicenter	Otaru Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
168 km (104 mi) N from epicenter	Minamishibetsuchō Hokkaido, Japan.	III Weak
169 km (105 mi) W from epicenter	Date Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
172 km (107 mi) NW from epicenter	Rumoi Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
184 km (114 mi) NE from epicenter	Abashiri Hokkaido, Japan.	III Weak
184 km (114 mi) W from epicenter	Yoichi Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
188 km (117 mi) N from epicenter	Nayoro Hokkaido, Japan.	III Weak
188 km (117 mi) N from epicenter	Mombetsu Hokkaido, Japan.	III Weak
192 km (119 mi) NE from epicenter	Nakashibetsu Hokkaido, Japan.	III Weak
203 km (126 mi) SW from epicenter	Honchō Hokkaido, Japan.	III Weak
206 km (128 mi) SW from epicenter	Hakodate Hokkaido, Japan.	III Weak
210 km (130 mi) NE from epicenter	Shibetsu Hokkaido, Japan.	III Weak
210 km (130 mi) SW from epicenter	Kamiiso Hokkaido, Japan.	IV Light
210 km (130 mi) SW from epicenter	Mutsu Aomori, Japan.	IV Light
227 km (141 mi) E from epicenter	Nemuro Hokkaido, Japan.
256 km (159 mi) SW from epicenter	Misawa Aomori, Japan.
271 km (168 mi) SW from epicenter	Hachinohe Aomori, Japan.
276 km (171 mi) SW from epicenter	Aomori Aomori, Japan.
293 km (182 mi) SW from epicenter	Goshogawara Aomori, Japan.
293 km (182 mi) SW from epicenter	Namioka Aomori, Japan.
296 km (184 mi) SW from epicenter	Shimokizukuri Aomori, Japan.
299 km (186 mi) SW from epicenter	Kuroishi Aomori, Japan.
309 km (192 mi) SW from epicenter	Hirosaki Aomori, Japan.
318 km (198 mi) N from epicenter	Wakkanai Hokkaido, Japan.
333 km (207 mi) SW from epicenter	Ōdate Akita, Japan.
348 km (216 mi) S from epicenter	Miyako Iwate, Japan.
364 km (226 mi) SW from epicenter	Morioka Iwate, Japan.
398 km (247 mi) S from epicenter	Hanamaki Iwate, Japan.

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 V.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Earthquake Intensity Map based on Shakemap Data provided by USGS.

Shaking reported by 19 people

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 19 people have reported shaking in 12 places, all within Japan.We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan: 6 people.
Nakashibetsu, Hokkaido, Japan: 2 people.
Iwanai, Hokkaido, Japan: 2 people.
Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan: 1 person.
Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan: 1 person.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Japan: 1 person.
Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan: 1 person.
Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan: 1 person.
Sendai, Miyagi, Japan: 1 person.
Aomori, Aomori, Japan: 1 person.

Risk of aftershocks?

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

Earthquakes can create aftershocks. These are generally at least 1 magnitude lower than any main shock, and as time passes the chance and strength of aftershocks decreases.

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

Read: How to Stay Safe during an Earthquake (cdc.gov).

Earthquakes like this happen often in the region

Earthquakes of this strength are very common in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since April 20th, 2026, when a 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit 299 km (186 mi) further south. An even stronger magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck on December 8th, 2025.

In total, 22 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.9 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 6 months.

Tsunami very unlikely

DISCLAIMER: We strongly suggest to closely monitor advice from local authorities with regards to tsunami risks. Our analysis is based on automatically collected data from external sources, and these might contain mistakes. In addition, earthquakes can cause landslides that may lead to a tsunami, or be a followed by another, potentially stonger, earthquake.

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

Factor	Under Sea?	MAG-6.5 or stronger?	Shallow depth?
Explanation	Almost all tsunami's are caused by earthquakes with their epicenter under sea or very near the sea. However stay cautious in coastal areas as earthquakes on land may cause landslides into sea, potentially still causing a local tsunami.	Under MAG 6.5: Very unlikely to cause a tsunami. MAG 6.5 to 7.5: Destructive tsunami's do occur, but are uncommon. Likely to observe small sea level changes. MAG 7.6+: Earthquakes with these magnitudes might produce destructive tsunami's.	Most destructive tsunami's are caused by shallow earthquakes with a depth between 0 and 100km under the surface of the earth. Deeper tsunami's are unlikely to displace to ocean floor.
This Earthquake	Not this earthquake. This earthquake appears to have struck on land far from any coast.	Not this earthquake. This earthquake had a magnitude of 5.9. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.	This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 81 km (50 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami.

Sources

Last updated 25/06/26 04:18 (). 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.