Earthquakes in February 2026: 7,278 Recorded Worldwide

7,278 earthquakes were recorded worldwide in February 2026, an average of 260 per day.

That is down 10% on the 8,098 recorded in the preceding period. Short-term swings almost always reflect an aftershock sequence following one larger event rather than any global change.

The largest event of February 2026 was a magnitude 7.1 earthquake near Kota Belud, Malaysia on 22 February, at a focal depth of 620 km. A magnitude 7.1 earthquake radiates roughly 673,610 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.

By band, February 2026 produced 13 in the magnitude -2 range, 189 in the magnitude -1 range, 1425 in the magnitude 0 range, 3347 in the magnitude 1 range, 1364 in the magnitude 2 range, 344 in the magnitude 3 range.

92% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 7% intermediate (70–300 km) and 1% deep-focus (over 300 km). Almost everything here is crustal. That is characteristic of transform faulting or continental deformation rather than subduction — and it means shaking at the surface is strong for the magnitudes involved.

The busiest single day was 12 February 2026, with 314 recorded events.

Most active: the United States (6467), Puerto Rico (117), the U.S. Virgin Islands (85), Japan (62), Russia (58).