M 5.0 Earthquake Recorded Near Vilyuchinsk, Russia

What Happened

A moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 5.0 (mb) occurred on February 18, 2026, at 05:58:47 UTC. The seismic event was centered approximately 196 km south-southeast of Vilyuchinsk, Russia. The earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers.

Location Details

The earthquake’s epicenter was located at coordinates 51.2738°N and 159.3975°E. This position places the event in the waters off the Kamchatka Peninsula. The depth of 10 kilometers is classified as shallow; shallow earthquakes (less than 20km) are often more widely felt than deeper ones, though the distance from populated areas is a significant factor in this instance.

Impact Assessment

According to the USGS data, there is no tsunami advisory, watch, or warning in effect for this event. No felt reports have been submitted to the USGS at this time, and there is no specific alert level color assigned to this event.

What You Should Know

A magnitude 5.0 event is classified as a “moderate earthquake,” which has the potential to cause damage to poorly constructed buildings but typically results in light to no damage in well-engineered structures. Residents in the region should remain aware of the possibility of aftershocks, which are routine following events of this magnitude.

Source

Information provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.