On Sunday Night a Significant M5.5 Earthquake struck near Hamamatsu in Japan.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on November 7th, 2026. Last updated November 8th, 2026.

Under land 18 kilometer from Hamamatsu in Japan, a significant Magnitude 5.5 earthquake occurred in the night of Sunday November 8th, 2026. The earthquake struck near a very densely populated region. Shaking may have been felt by a total of 13 million people.

Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Japan, 18 kilometer (11 mi) north of Hamamatsu in Shizuoka. The center of this earthquake had a quite shallow depth of 38 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Nov 8, 2026 01:04 (Tokyo Time) - Nov 7, 2026 16:04 Universal Time.
Location:	18 km north of Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan. Coordinates 34°51'40"N 137°41'28"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.5 Detected by 17 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.075 .
Depth:	38 km (24 mi) A quite 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 (21 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 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 13 million people exposed to shaking

This earthquake may have been felt by around 13 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 VI, which corresponds with strong shaking and probably light damage. Roughly 357,500 people are expected to be exposed to this level. Intensity level V was experienced by the majority of people (around 8 million). In their region, moderate shaking and very light damage can be expected. All exposure to shaking was within the borders of Japan .

People	MMI Level	Shaking	Damage
0	I	Not noticable	None
0	II	Very weak	None
710,600	III	Weak	Probably none
3,592,000	IV	Light	Likely none
8,387,000	V	Moderate	Very light
357,500	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 . The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Hamakita in Shizuoka, Japan. Hamakita is located 11 kilometer (7 mi) northwest of the epicenter. The intensity of shaking and damage in Hamakita is estimated to be around level VI on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (strong shaking, probably light damage).

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Hamamatsu is located 18 km to the south and experienced an intensity of V (moderate shaking, very light damage). Tokyo is located 204 km to the north-east (intensity unknown, possibly low). Nagoya is located 80 km to the northwest and experienced an intensity of V (moderate shaking, very light 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

Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.
Distance	Place	Intensity (MMI)
11 km (7 mi) SE from epicenter	Hamakita Shizuoka, Japan.	VI Strong
18 km (11 mi) S from epicenter	Hamamatsu Shizuoka, Japan.	V Moderate
18 km (11 mi) W from epicenter	Shinshiro Aichi, Japan.	V Moderate
22 km (14 mi) E from epicenter	Mori Shizuoka, Japan.	V Moderate
23 km (14 mi) SW from epicenter	Arai Shizuoka, Japan.	V Moderate
23 km (14 mi) SE from epicenter	Iwata Shizuoka, Japan.	V Moderate
24 km (15 mi) SE from epicenter	Fukuroi Shizuoka, Japan.	V Moderate
24 km (15 mi) SW from epicenter	Kosai Shizuoka, Japan.	V Moderate
27 km (17 mi) W from epicenter	Toyokawa Aichi, Japan.	VI Strong
30 km (19 mi) W from epicenter	Toyohashi Aichi, Japan.	VI Strong
31 km (19 mi) W from epicenter	Kozakai-chō Aichi, Japan.	VI Strong
32 km (20 mi) E from epicenter	Kakegawa Shizuoka, Japan.	V Moderate
40 km (25 mi) E from epicenter	Kanaya Shizuoka, Japan.	IV Light
42 km (26 mi) W from epicenter	Gamagōri Aichi, Japan.	V Moderate
43 km (27 mi) SE from epicenter	Kikugawa Shizuoka, Japan.	IV Light
44 km (27 mi) SW from epicenter	Tahara Aichi, Japan.	V Moderate
45 km (28 mi) E from epicenter	Shimada Shizuoka, Japan.	IV Light
49 km (30 mi) W from epicenter	Okazaki Aichi, Japan.	V Moderate
51 km (32 mi) E from epicenter	Sagara Shizuoka, Japan.	IV Light
53 km (33 mi) E from epicenter	Fujieda Shizuoka, Japan.	IV Light
55 km (34 mi) NW from epicenter	Toyota Aichi, Japan.	V Moderate
57 km (35 mi) W from epicenter	Anjō Aichi, Japan.	V Moderate
57 km (35 mi) E from epicenter	Yaizu Shizuoka, Japan.	IV Light
58 km (36 mi) W from epicenter	Nishio Aichi, Japan.	V Moderate
62 km (39 mi) W from epicenter	Chiryū Aichi, Japan.	V Moderate
65 km (40 mi) W from epicenter	Takahama Aichi, Japan.	V Moderate
65 km (40 mi) W from epicenter	Hekinan Aichi, Japan.	V Moderate
65 km (40 mi) E from epicenter	Shizuoka Shizuoka, Japan.	IV Light
66 km (41 mi) W from epicenter	Kariya Aichi, Japan.	V Moderate
68 km (42 mi) NW from epicenter	Seto Aichi, Japan.	V Moderate
69 km (43 mi) W from epicenter	Handa Aichi, Japan.	V Moderate
69 km (43 mi) NW from epicenter	Mizunami Gifu, Japan.	IV Light
70 km (43 mi) W from epicenter	Ōbu Aichi, Japan.	V Moderate
71 km (44 mi) N from epicenter	Nakatsugawa Gifu, Japan.	IV Light
71 km (44 mi) NW from epicenter	Toki Gifu, Japan.	IV Light
72 km (45 mi) NW from epicenter	Tajimi Gifu, Japan.	IV Light
74 km (46 mi) N from epicenter	Iida Nagano, Japan.	V Moderate
78 km (48 mi) NW from epicenter	Kasugai Aichi, Japan.	V Moderate
80 km (50 mi) NW from epicenter	Nagoya Aichi, Japan.	V Moderate
85 km (53 mi) NW from epicenter	Komaki Aichi, Japan.	V Moderate
89 km (55 mi) NW from epicenter	Inuyama Aichi, Japan.	IV Light
91 km (57 mi) NW from epicenter	Kōnan Aichi, Japan.	V Moderate
93 km (58 mi) NW from epicenter	Inazawa Aichi, Japan.	V Moderate
93 km (58 mi) NE from epicenter	Fujinomiya Shizuoka, Japan.	IV Light
95 km (59 mi) W from epicenter	Kuwana Mie, Japan.	IV Light
95 km (59 mi) NW from epicenter	Ichinomiya Aichi, Japan.	V Moderate
97 km (60 mi) E from epicenter	Fuji Shizuoka, Japan.	IV Light
97 km (60 mi) NW from epicenter	Kakamigahara Gifu, Japan.	IV Light
99 km (62 mi) W from epicenter	Yokkaichi Mie, Japan.
100 km (62 mi) SW from epicenter	Ise Mie, Japan.	IV Light
105 km (65 mi) NW from epicenter	Gifu-shi Gifu, Japan.	IV Light
120 km (75 mi) NE from epicenter	Kōfu Yamanashi, Japan.	III Weak
167 km (104 mi) W from epicenter	Ōtsu Shiga, Japan.
173 km (107 mi) W from epicenter	Nara-shi Nara, Japan.
173 km (107 mi) NE from epicenter	Hachiōji Tokyo, Japan.
177 km (110 mi) W from epicenter	Kyoto Kyoto, Japan.
186 km (116 mi) W from epicenter	Hirakata Ōsaka, Japan.
189 km (117 mi) E from epicenter	Yokohama Kanagawa, Japan.
189 km (117 mi) NW from epicenter	Fukui-shi Fukui, Japan.
209 km (130 mi) N from epicenter	Toyama Toyama, Japan.
212 km (132 mi) NE from epicenter	Maebashi Gunma, Japan.
213 km (132 mi) NE from epicenter	Saitama Saitama, Japan.
216 km (134 mi) NW from epicenter	Kanazawa Ishikawa, Japan.
230 km (143 mi) W from epicenter	Kobe Hyōgo, Japan.
235 km (146 mi) E from epicenter	Chiba Chiba, Japan.
244 km (152 mi) W from epicenter	Minato Wakayama, Japan.
259 km (161 mi) N from epicenter	Jōetsu Niigata, Japan.
274 km (170 mi) NE from epicenter	Utsunomiya Tochigi, Japan.
299 km (186 mi) NE from epicenter	Mito Ibaraki, Japan.
300 km (186 mi) W from epicenter	Tokushima Tokushima, Japan.

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is VI. 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

Earthquake Intensity Map based on Shakemap Data provided by USGS.

Aftershocks detected

This main shock was followed by 1 smaller aftershock. At a distance of 9 km (6 mi) northwest of this earthquake, an aftershock struck 59 mins later. It measured a magnitude of 3.3

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

Detected MAG2.5+ earthquakes within within 100km (62 mi), that occurred in the three days before and after the main shock.
Classification	Magnitude	When	Where
Main Shock This Earthquake	M 5.5	Nov 8, 2026 01:04 (Tokyo Time)	-
Aftershock	M 3.3	59 mins later Nov 8, 2026 02:03 (Tokyo Time)	9 km (6 mi) NW from Main Shock.

More earthquakes coming?

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 October 31st, 2026, when a 6 magnitude earthquake hit 132 km (82 mi) further southwest. An even stronger magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck on January 1st, 2024.

In total, 27 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.5 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 5 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	This earthquake appears to have struck on land near a coastal area (21 km from the sea).	Not this earthquake. This earthquake had a magnitude of 5.5. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.	This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 38 km (24 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami.

Sources

Last updated 08/11/26 15:28 (). 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.