Watari, Japan — A magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck off the Pacific coast of Japan on Thursday, centered about 36 kilometers east of the town of Watari in Miyagi Prefecture.

What happened:

The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the quake at 12:05 p.m. Central Time on Thursday, November 5, 2026, which was 3:05 a.m. Friday local time in Japan. The quake's center sat about 87 kilometers below the surface, deep enough to soften shaking at ground level.

Impacts:

No damage has been reported, and the Geological Survey lists no tsunami threat from this quake. No shaking reports have been filed with the survey so far. Because the quake ran deep, people near the coast may have felt only light shaking, or nothing at all.

What to do:

If you feel shaking, drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy table, and hold on until it stops. Stay away from windows and heavy objects that could fall. After the shaking ends, check for gas leaks, broken glass, and other hazards before moving around, and be ready for aftershocks.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), November 5, 2026.