disaster management, geophysics

Earthquakes in January 2026

Three earthquakes were felt in Austria in January. The epicenters were located in Styria and Lower Austria.

On January 1, at 10:41 p.m. CET, an earthquake of magnitude 2.5 occurred in the area between Bad Ischl and Altaussee, Styria (47.65°N, 13.72°E). The tremors, which were located at a shallow depth, were felt weakly to distinctly in Altaussee with an intensity of 3 to 4 on the 12-level European Macroseismic Scale (EMS-98).

The epicenter of an earthquake with magnitude 2.2 was located at Semmering, Lower Austria, on January 5 at 3:39 p.m. (47.65°N, 15.83°E). It was felt most strongly in Semmering, with a maximum intensity of 4 degrees (EMS-98). The quake was also felt weakly to distinctly in several places in the surroundings of the epicenter in the area between Spital am Semmering, Reichenau an der Rax, and Kirchberg am Wechsel. A total of 28 reports were sent to the earthquake service by the population.

On January 28 at 4:33 a.m., the earth shook about 5 km northeast of Semriach, Styria (47.25°N, 15.45°E). The earthquake of magnitude 2.1 was clearly felt in Passail, Semriach, and Rechberg with an intensity of 4 on the EMS-98 scale. Some people woke up and heard a bang or thunder. The earthquake was also felt in Frohnleiten and Fladnitz.

map graphics

Earthquakes_January_2026.png

Epicenters and intensities of the earthquakes felt in Austria in January 2026. © GeoSphere Austria.

Intensity Scale EMS-98

Excerpt from the short form of the 12-level European Macroseismic Scale 1998, based on Mercalli-Sieberg

  • Degree 3 – Weak: The earthquake is felt indoors by a few. People at rest feel a swaying or light trembling. Hanging objects swing slightly.
  • Degree 4 – Largely observed: The earthquake is felt indoors by many and felt outdoors only by very few. A few people are awakened, the vibration is moderate, slight trembling of the building or room. Glasses, windows and doors rattle, light furniture shakes visibly.

Weltweite starke Erdbeben

Date

Time (UTC)

M

Epicentral Area

Comment

02. Jan 2026

13:58

6.5

Mexico, 50 km E of Acapulco; 16.88°N 99.34°W

Two fatalities, dozens injured

07. Jan 2026

03:02

6.4

Philippines, off the coast of Mindanao; 7.36°N 126.86°E

No major damage to buildings and infrastructure

10. Jan 2026

14:58

6.4

South of Philippines; 3.78°N 126.99°E

Depth 31 km

16. Jan 2026

03:25

6.0

295 km off the coast of Oregon, USA; 43.54°N 128.01°W

Uninhabited marine region

26. Jan 2026

06:56

5.5

China, Gansu, Gannan; 34.03°N 103.31°E

20,000 people evacuated, damage in 49 villages

UTC (Universal Time Coordinated) = GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)
Data for worldwide earthquakes according to U.S. Geological Survey
M: Magnitude (logarithmic energy scale)
Information provided without guarantee

Seismological Service of Austria - GeoSphere Austria
Hohe Warte 38, A-1190 Vienna
Tel. +43 1 36026 2508
E-Mail: seismo@geosphere.at

Further information