Earthquakes in Saint Helena — January 2026
2 earthquakes were recorded in Saint Helena during January 2026, an average of 0.1 per day.
2 reached magnitude 4 or above and 2 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 10 km.
The month's largest event in Saint Helena was a magnitude 5.2 earthquake near Georgetown, Saint Helena on 20 January 2026 at 05:55 UTC. A magnitude 5.2 earthquake radiates roughly 951 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
That is well above the Saint Helena monthly average of 1 events over the period we cover — an unusually active month.
100% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 0% intermediate (70–300 km) and 0% 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.
By band, the catalogue holds 2 in the magnitude 5 range.
Activity peaked on 20 January, when 2 events were recorded.
The month's largest events were M5.2 near Georgetown, Saint Helena on 20 January at 10 km; M5.2 near Georgetown, Saint Helena on 20 January at 10 km.
That is 67% above the 1 events Saint Helena averages per month across the 5 months on record.
Largest earthquakes in Saint Helena, January 2026
2 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.2 | Georgetown, Saint Helena | 10.0 | Saint Helena | View details View | |
| 5.2 | Georgetown, Saint Helena | 10.0 | Saint Helena | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit Saint Helena in January 2026?
2 earthquakes were recorded in Saint Helena during January 2026, of which 2 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in Saint Helena in January 2026?
A magnitude 5.2 event near Georgetown, Saint Helena on 20 January 2026.
Other months in Saint Helena
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.