On Friday Evening a Significant M5.8 Earthquake struck in the Philippine Sea near Taipei (Taiwan).

Written by Earthquakelist.org on May 1st, 2026. Last updated May 2nd, 2026.

In the evening of Friday May 1st, 2026, a significant MAG-5.8 earthquake hit in the Philippine Sea 53 kilometer from Taipei, Taiwan. The earthquake struck near a very densely populated region. Around 19 million people have been exposed to shaking. Japan and China are also near its epicenter.

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Earthquake Summary

This earthquake hit under water in the Philippine Sea, right off the coast of Taiwan (8 mi offshore), 53 kilometer east of Taipei in Taipei City. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 97 km.

Date and Time:	May 1, 2026 20:39 (Taipei Time) - May 1, 2026 12:39 Universal Time.
Location:	53 km east of Taipei, Taipei City, Taiwan. Coordinates 24°52'29"N 122°1'12"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.8 Detected by 34 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.053 .
Depth:	97 km (60 mi) An intermediate depth.
Max. Intensity:	IV Light On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Low tsunami risk Earthquakes under MAG-6.5 do not usually 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 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 19 million people exposed to shaking

The USGS has published a report estimating the number of people exposed to this earthquake. Acoording to their analysis, roughly 19 million have been exposed to shaking at an MMI level of II or higher.

The highest earthquake impact level for this earthquake is IV, which corresponds with light shaking and likely no damage. Roughly 702,700 people are expected to be exposed to this level. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 18 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected.

People in 3 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Taiwan , around 19 million people, with impact levels up to IV (light shaking, likely no damage). A smaller number of people were exposed in the following countries: China and Japan.

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake struck within proximity of multiple countries. Taiwan , Japan and China are all within 300km distance of its epicenter.

Yilan in Yilan County, Taiwan is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 30 kilometer (19 mi) north-east of Yilan. The intensity of shaking and damage in Yilan 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. Taipei is located 53 km to the west and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Fuzhou is located 303 km to the northwest (intensity unknown, possibly low). Keelung is located 40 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 maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is IV. The map below shows in which areas this earthquake was the most and least impactful. It is based on data from the US Geographic Survey.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Shaking reported by 43 people

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 43 people have reported shaking in 19 places, all within Taiwan.We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Yungho, Taipei Hsien, Taiwan: 14 people.
• Sanchung, Taipei Hsien, Taiwan: 4 people.
• Taoyuan, Taoyuan, Taiwan: 3 people.
• Luchou, Taipei Hsien, Taiwan: 3 people.
• Taichung, Taichung Shih, Taiwan: 3 people.
• Chiayi, Chiayi Shih, Taiwan: 2 people.
• Lotung, Ilan, Taiwan: 2 people.
• Hsinying, Tainan Hsien, Taiwan: 1 person.
• Hsichih, Taipei Hsien, Taiwan: 1 person.
• Kuanshan, Taitung, Taiwan: 1 person.

Risk of aftershocks?

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

The risk of aftershocks decreases rapidly over time. Usually, aftershocks are at least one order of magnitude lower than a main shock.

It's always adviced to be cautious of the risk of a larger shock following any significant earthquake, however this risk is fairly small. There is a roughly 94 percent change that no larger main shock will follow in the days following this earthquake.

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 December 27th, 2025, when a 6.6 magnitude earthquake hit 21 km (13 mi) further south. An even stronger magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck on April 2nd, 2024.

In total, 38 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.8 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 3 months.

Low tsunami risk

Based on early data it appears this earthquake was not strong enough (lower than MAG-6.5) to be likely to cause destructive tsunami's. However this earthquake appeared to have hit at a shallow depth under sea, so stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Sources

Last updated 02/05/26 10:08 (). As more information on this earthquake becomes available this article will be updated. This article is automatically composed based on data originating from multiple sources.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us7000shjp
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20260501_0000195
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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