M4.5 Earthquake Strikes Northern Mariana Islands

San Jose Village, Northern Mariana Islands — A magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck in the waters southeast of the Northern Mariana Islands on Monday afternoon, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

What happened:

The quake hit at 1:59 p.m. Central Time on Monday, November 2, centered about 168 kilometers southeast of San Jose Village. It struck at a depth of about 10 kilometers below the surface. The USGS has reviewed the event and lists it as a magnitude 4.5.

Impacts:

No tsunami threat has been indicated for this earthquake, and no damage reports have come in so far. Because the epicenter sits well offshore in open water, shaking on land in the Northern Mariana Islands would have been light at most, and no felt reports have been filed with the USGS at this time.

What to do:

- If you feel shaking, drop, cover, and hold on until it stops.

- Stay away from windows, bookcases, and anything that could fall.

- After the shaking ends, check for hazards like broken glass, gas leaks, and cracked walls before moving around.

- Be ready for aftershocks, which can follow in the hours after a quake.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), November 2, 2026.