A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck Assam on January 5, 2026, at 4:17 AM IST, with its epicenter near Morigaon district. Tremors from this earthquake today in Assam were felt across multiple districts including Guwahati, but no casualties or major damage occurred.
Earthquake Details
The quake originated at latitude 26.37 N, longitude 92.29 E, and a depth of 50 km, as reported by the National Center for Seismology (NCS). Residents searched “earthquake near me” and “earthquake just now in Assam today” amid mild to moderate shaking that woke many in Guwahati and central Assam. NCS issued an immediate alert on X: “EQ of M: 5.1, On: 05/01/2026 04:17:40 IST, Lat: 26.37 N, Long: 92.29 E, Depth: 50 Km, Location: Morigaon, Assam.”
Areas Affected: Tremors rippled through both banks of the Brahmaputra River, impacting key regions.
- Core zones: Morigaon (epicenter), Nagaon, Kamrup Metropolitan (Guwahati).
- Wider reach: East/West Karbi Anglong, Hojai, Dima Hasao, Golaghat, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Charaideo, Cachar, Karimganj, Hailakandi, Dhubri, South Salmara Mankachar, Goalpara.
No reports of life loss, injuries, or structural damage emerged, though panic led people outdoors.
Official Statements
Officials confirmed no immediate harm from the Assam earthquake today. NCS monitored the event without IMD-specific comments in initial bulletins. Local authorities in Assam urged calm, stating, “There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to property.”
Why Assam Is an Earthquake Epicenter
Assam lies in Seismic Zone V, the highest risk category, due to its position at the Indian Plate’s collision with the Eurasian Plate and Burmese microblock. Active faults like Kopili (near Morigaon) and shallow depths amplify shaking via soft Brahmaputra sediments. This tectonic nexus causes frequent events, making “earthquake Guwahati” and “Assam earthquake” common searches.
Historical Earthquakes
Assam has endured devastating quakes, underscoring its vulnerability.
These events highlight recurring stress release along faults.
Future Predictions
Probabilistic models forecast peak ground accelerations up to 0.57g in Assam over a 475-year return period, with high liquefaction risk in floodplains. Stress accumulation in seismic gaps suggests potential for major quakes (M7+), possibly by 2050 amid urban growth. Experts recommend retrofitting buildings and early warnings to counter rising exposure
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