Annual review · year-to-date · USGS ComCat

Earthquakes in 2026

2,972 magnitude-4-and-above earthquakes were catalogued worldwide in 2026 (year-to-date - 2026 is still in progress), including 32 significant M6+ events. The strongest reached M7.5.

Compiled by PlainQuake Editorial, Earthquake Data Editorial Team

2,972
M4+ events (so far): 32
Significant M6+: M7.5
Strongest: 88 km
Avg depth

2026 is still in progress. These figures are year-to-date and will keep rising as the USGS adds events, do not compare this partial count directly against completed years.

The year in one line

2026 logged 2,972 catalogued M4+ earthquakes worldwide so far, 32 of them major M6+ events, topping out at magnitude 7.5.

2,972
M4+ events (year-to-date): 32
major M6+ events: M7.5
strongest of the year: 88 km
average hypocentral depth

M4.0–4.9

2,543
M5.0–5.9

397
M6.0–6.9

30
M7.0–7.9

2

What this shows As in every year, the catalog is dominated by moderate M4–5 events; the rare M6+ band - 32 events in 2026 - is where damaging shaking lives.

Significant earthquakes in 2026

The individual significant-event series (M6+, catalogued back to 1900) currently runs through 2025. The 32 M6+ events tallied for 2026 above come from the aggregate magnitude counts; per-event detail will appear as the catalog is finalised.

Understand the data

How earthquakes are measured

Magnitude scales, seismographs, and depth.

Reading earthquake data

Interpreting magnitude, depth and frequency.

All years

The full long-term seismic trend.

Frequently asked questions

How many earthquakes occurred in 2026? ▼

In 2026, the USGS catalog recorded 2,972 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or greater worldwide so far, this year is still in progress, so the count is partial and will keep rising. Of these, 32 reached M6.0 or above.

What was the strongest earthquake in 2026? ▼

The strongest catalogued earthquake in 2026 reached magnitude 7.5. There were 2 M7+ events during the year.

How does 2026 compare to other years? ▼

A typical year sees roughly 13,000–18,000 catalogued M4+ earthquakes worldwide. 2026 recorded 2,972 so far (partial year), with an average depth of 88 km. See the year index for the full long-term trend.

What magnitude scale is used? ▼

All magnitudes use the moment magnitude scale (Mw), the USGS standard. The scale is logarithmic, each whole step is roughly 32× more energy released.

About this data

Every figure on this page is computed directly from the USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat), the public-domain record maintained by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program. The worldwide catalog covers magnitude-4.0-and-above events from 2005 onward, the period over which the global seismograph network reliably detects and locates earthquakes everywhere. Magnitudes use the moment-magnitude scale (Mw), the modern standard that supersedes the older Richter scale; because the scale is logarithmic, each whole step up represents roughly thirty-two times more energy released. Depth is measured in kilometres from the surface, and shallow earthquakes generally produce stronger surface shaking than deep ones of the same magnitude. Annual counts reflect what instruments recorded, not every tremor that occurred; the current calendar year is always partial and will keep rising as the USGS adds and revises events, so it should never be compared directly against completed years.

Source: USGS ComCat, verify with USGS → · See our methodology for the full pipeline.

Disclaimer: PlainQuake is an informational reference for informational purposes only, not an emergency or early-warning service, and not professional engineering or safety advice. For official alerts and guidance, consult the USGS and your local emergency authorities. See our full disclaimer.