A magnitude-6.3 earthquake struck the Kuril Islands on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center. The seismic event occurred at a depth of 30 kilometers, with its epicenter located approximately 150 kilometers northeast of the island chain's primary settlements.
Local authorities in Russia's Sakhalin Oblast, which administers the islands, have reported no immediate casualties or structural damage. Emergency response teams remain on standby as aftershock monitoring continues across the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire region.
The Kuril Islands, situated between Japan's Hokkaido and Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, experience frequent tectonic activity due to the convergence of the Okhotsk and Pacific plates. This latest quake follows a series of smaller tremors recorded in the area throughout December 2025.
Regional Alert Status
Japan Meteorological Agency issued a precautionary tsunami advisory for coastal areas of Hokkaido, though no significant wave activity has been observed. Travelers planning visits to Russia's Far East or northern Japan are advised to check local advisories through official channels.
