M4.5 earthquake — 85 km N of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
An magnitude 4.5 earthquake occurred 85 km N of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands on Aug 20, 2026 at 21:57 UTC. The epicenter was at a depth of 214 km — an intermediate-depth earthquake. Intermediate quakes spread their energy over a wider area and are often felt across a broad region.
Event data
| Magnitude | M4.5 |
|---|---|
| Depth | 213.5 km |
| Coordinates | 15.974, 145.618 |
| Time | Aug 20, 21:57 UTC |
| Location | 85 km N of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands |
| USGS event ID | us6000tmb4 |
What this magnitude typically means
Light earthquakes are felt by most people nearby but rarely cause damage. Distance, depth, and soil type determine whether a quake feels sharp or barely noticeable. Tremor does not compute a single local shaking figure here, because how strong a quake feels at any address depends on distance, depth and local geology — open the interactive globe to explore the ShakeMap and estimated intensity.
Nearby recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Distance | Time (UTC) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4.8 | 220 km | Aug 17, 06:55 UTC | 159 km ESE of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands |
Source: USGS earthquake catalog. Automated readings may be revised. Not for emergency use.