M 5.6 in Japan on 21 Apr 2026 18:44 UTC

Hazard models

Rapid Impact
Shakemap
Tsunami

Event summary

This earthquake is expected to have a low humanitarian impact based on the magnitude and the affected population and their vulnerability.

Earthquake Magnitude: 5.6M
Depth: 35 Km
Lat/Lon: 40.1562 , 143.4599
Event Date: 21 Apr 2026 18:44 UTC
22 Apr 2026 04:44 Local
Exposed Population: 1.1 million in MMI III
Source: NEIC us6000srvu
Inserted at: 21 Apr 2026 19:05 UTC
INFORM Coping capacity of the alert score: 1.1 (Japan)

GDACS Score

For more info on GDACS score click here.
  Earthquake
(Shakemap)		 GDACS score
NEIC 0 0
us6000srvu Scaled population (raster) 0  
  C1 shakemap 0  
  C2 shakemap 0  
  Country Vulnerability 0  
  INFORM_normalised 0  
  Score no CC 0  
Maximum expected impact using different data sources.

ShakeMap is a product of the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program in conjunction with the regional seismic networks. ShakeMaps provide near-real-time maps of ground motion and shaking intensity following significant earthquakes.


Episode Timeline

IDLevelScoreDateMag, DepthMMI*Population**Tsunami risk***Delay (hh:mm)Source
1701396 0 21 Apr 2026 18:44 5.6M, 35km 3.3 N/A (in MMI>=VII) 00:21 NEIC
The episode that generated the alert; the next major evaluations beyond 12 hours will not trigger additional alerts.
The episode that has the last updated information.
* The max MMI detected for sources having shakemaps;
** The population detected in MMI>=7 for episode with shakemap or in a 100km radius;
*** The tsunami max height.

Exposed population

The earthquake happened in Japan ,of Tohoku (population 9,984,608) . The alertlevel for this event is GREEN

Intensity Population
no people


Shakemaps Timeline

LevelShake id #ScoreepisodeidLat/LonMagnitudeDepthMax MMIDate shake (UTC)Delay (hh:mm) 
1 0 1701396 143.46/40.156 5.6 35 3.3 21 Apr 2026 19:11 00:27 (new episode)
2 0 1701396 143.46/40.156 5.6 35 3.289 21 Apr 2026 21:11 02:27 (upd of #1)
3 0 1701396 143.46/40.156 5.6 35 3.3 23 Apr 2026 02:01 1d 07:17 (upd of #2)

Affected Provinces

Intensity Region Province Country Population
Tohoku Japan 260000 people
Tohoku Japan 12000 people
Hokkaido Japan no people

Affected populated places. Areas of interest

Intensity Name Region Province Country City class Population Distance
Omoto Iwate Japan Village - 132 km
Taro Iwate Japan Village - 136 km
Noda Iwate Japan Village - 139 km
Kudschi Iwate Japan Village - 144 km
Tsugaruishi Iwate Japan Village - 145 km
Neichi Iwate Japan Village - 146 km
Wainai Iwate Japan Village - 158 km
Kuriyama Iwate Japan Village - 168 km
Hachinohe Aomori Japan City 240000 people 170 km
Ichikawa Aomori Japan Village - 177 km
Tono Iwate Japan Village 27000 people 189 km
Kurauchi Aomori Japan Village - 191 km
Ofunato Iwate Japan Village 37000 people 192 km
Rikuzen-Takata Iwate Japan Village - 202 km
Kesennuma Miyagi Japan Village 59000 people 211 km
Shiriya Aomori Japan Village - 219 km
Minato Miyagi Japan Village - 229 km
Nagatsura Miyagi Japan Village - 252 km
Watanoha Miyagi Japan Village - 265 km
Ohama Miyagi Japan Village - 247 km
Ogatsu Miyagi Japan Village - 250 km

see full list


Critical infrastructure

Airports, ports, nuclear plants and hydrodams at risk, if affected, are listed below.

Ports

Intensity Name LOCODE Country Distance
Hachinohe JPHHE Japan 167 km
Ofunato JPOFT Japan 193 km
Onagawa JPONG Japan 257 km

More information

For a full list of available products related to this event, please refer to the GDACS Resources page.