Earthquake Alert: M4.6 Event Detected in India

A magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck India at 17:06 UTC on Friday, October 23, 2026, according to data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The earthquake's epicentre was located 91 km ESE of Tuensang, India, at a focal depth of 116.7 km.

Event Details

With a focal depth of 116.7 km, this earthquake falls into the intermediate depth category (70–300 km). At this depth, seismic waves travel further before reaching the surface, spreading energy over a wider area. While shaking intensity at the epicentre is somewhat reduced compared to a shallow event of equal magnitude, an intermediate earthquake can be felt across a much larger region.

The earthquake registered a magnitude of 4.6 on the moment magnitude scale — the standard measurement used by seismologists worldwide. At this magnitude, the shaking is felt strongly by everyone; minor to moderate damage possible in vulnerable buildings.

Where Did This Earthquake Occur?

India's seismic hazard stems primarily from the ongoing collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate — a process that built the Himalayas and continues to drive intense seismicity across northern India, Nepal, and the Andaman Islands.

Notable Indian earthquakes include the 2001 Bhuj earthquake (M7.7, ~20,000 deaths) in Gujarat and the 2015 Gorkha earthquake centred in Nepal (M7.8, ~9,000 deaths) which was strongly felt across northern India. The densely populated Indo-Gangetic Plain, though not directly on a plate boundary, faces amplified shaking from distant Himalayan earthquakes.

What Does Magnitude 4.6 Mean?

Moderate earthquakes are felt by virtually everyone near the epicentre. Strong shaking lasting 10–30 seconds can topple unsecured items, crack plaster, and cause poorly anchored objects to fall. Aftershocks are common following moderate events.

Significant damage can occur to vulnerable structures — particularly unreinforced masonry, old adobe buildings, and poorly maintained older construction. Well-engineered modern buildings are designed to withstand this level of shaking with minimal structural impact, though contents may shift and non-structural elements (ceilings, partitions) can be damaged.

A magnitude 4.6 earthquake releases approximately roughly 500 tonnes of TNT of energy. For comparison, this exceeds the energy released by most conventional explosive events and is sufficient to shift tectonic stress in measurable ways across a wide region.

Safety Guidance

Fasten heavy furniture — bookshelves, water heaters, cabinets — to walls using earthquake straps. Store breakable items on lower shelves and heavy items closest to the floor. These simple steps significantly reduce the risk of injury from falling objects.

Understanding the type of building you live or work in is one of the most important steps in earthquake preparedness. Older unreinforced masonry buildings and soft-storey apartment buildings are significantly more vulnerable than modern reinforced concrete or steel-frame structures. If you have concerns, consult a structural engineer.

The National Center for Seismology (NCS) under India's Ministry of Earth Sciences monitors seismic activity and maintains a network of ~100 seismograph stations across the country.

Monitoring and Aftershocks

Seismologists are continuing to monitor the region for aftershocks, which are common following earthquakes of this magnitude. Aftershocks can occur minutes, hours, or even days after the main event and are sometimes strong enough to cause additional damage to already-weakened structures. Residents in the area are advised to remain cautious and follow guidance from local authorities.

Real-time seismic data is being collected by the USGS and contributing regional networks. Updated information will be published as it becomes available. You can track this and all other global seismic activity in real time on our live earthquake map.

Community Felt Reports

If you felt this earthquake, your experience contributes to an important scientific dataset. The USGS "Did You Feel It?" (DYFI) system and QuakeWatch's own community reports platform collect first-hand accounts of shaking intensity from people across the affected region. These reports — describing where people were, what they felt, and what moved or was damaged — help seismologists map shaking intensity across an area much larger than any single seismograph can cover. Visit the earthquake's detail page on our live map to submit your own report.