Hokkaido, Japan —

What happened: A magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck off the coast of northern Japan at 9:40 this morning Central Time (11:40 tonight local time). The U.S. Geological Survey places the epicenter about 33 kilometers northeast of Shizunai-furukawachō in Hokkaido, roughly 94 kilometers below the surface.

Impacts: The quake ran deep, which usually keeps shaking on the surface more subdued. USGS has flagged no tsunami threat from this earthquake, and no felt reports or damage had been recorded as of this writing.

What to do:

- If you feel shaking, drop to the ground, take cover under sturdy furniture, and hold on until it stops.

- Stay clear of windows, heavy shelving, and anything that could topple.

- After the shaking, check your home for gas leaks, cracked walls, and fallen objects before settling back in.

- Expect aftershocks — smaller tremors commonly follow a quake of this size.

*Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), October 21, 2026.*