Earthquakes in Nicaragua — January 2026
3 earthquakes were recorded in Nicaragua during January 2026, an average of 0.1 per day.
3 reached magnitude 4 or above and 0 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 112 km.
The month's largest event in Nicaragua was a magnitude 4.8 earthquake near Jiquilillo, Nicaragua on 04 January 2026 at 14:20 UTC. A magnitude 4.8 earthquake radiates roughly 239 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
That is close to the Nicaragua monthly average of 3 events over the period we cover, and level with the 3 recorded the previous month.
33% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 67% intermediate (70–300 km) and 0% deep-focus (over 300 km). A substantial share of intermediate-depth events points to a subducting slab beneath the region rather than purely crustal faulting.
By band, the catalogue holds 3 in the magnitude 4 range.
The month's largest events were M4.8 near Jiquilillo, Nicaragua on 04 January at 99 km; M4.5 near Villa El Carmen, Nicaragua on 26 January at 170 km; M4.0 near Villa El Carmen, Nicaragua on 22 January at 66 km.
That is close to the 3 events Nicaragua averages per month across the 20 months on record.
Largest earthquakes in Nicaragua, January 2026
3 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8 | Jiquilillo, Nicaragua | 99.3 | Nicaragua | View details View | |
| 4.5 | Villa El Carmen, Nicaragua | 170.2 | Nicaragua | View details View | |
| 4.0 | Villa El Carmen, Nicaragua | 66.0 | Nicaragua | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit Nicaragua in January 2026?
3 earthquakes were recorded in Nicaragua during January 2026, of which 3 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in Nicaragua in January 2026?
A magnitude 4.8 event near Jiquilillo, Nicaragua on 04 January 2026.
Other months in Nicaragua
Magnitudes for January 2026 reflect the current USGS review status and may have been revised since first publication. See our guides on the magnitude scale, focal depth and why earthquakes cluster.