The quake was centered about 295 kilometers (183 miles) west of Bandon, Oregon, according to German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) data coupled with initial USGS reports. Earthquakes at a depth of 10 kilometers are categorized as “shallow.” Though shallow quakes usually contain a greater probability of severe shaking of the surface, the wide distance of the epicenter from the shoreline acted as a natural buffer for Oregon’s coastal towns.
Impacted Areas: Locations Where Shaking Happened
Though the quake originated distant on the ocean floor, the energy traveling towards the mainland went eastwards. The affected areas reported differing degrees of severity:
- Bandon and Coos Bay: People living in coastal communities experienced light to moderate swaying.
- Portland: More than 350 kilometers away from the epicenter, residents of high-rise buildings in the city reported feeling a slow, rhythmic rocking motion.
- Northern California: Down South as far as the California-Oregon border, reports of “weak” shaking were recorded.
Tsunami Update: No Threat At this Time
Within minutes of the quake, the National Tsunami Warning Center (NOAA) ran an analysis of the sea-level data. To assist coastal communities, authorities had issued no tsunami warning, watch, or advisory. The USGS said the strike-slip nature of the faulting here, likely lying within the Blanco Fracture Zone, usually involves the horizontal moving of tectonic plates and is in general less likely to dislodge the large volumes of water needed with a tsunami compared to vertical subduction events.
A strong 6.0 #earthquake struck off coast of Oregon, USA. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ttJJuQP4yH
— HelioLog (@AstroFluxLab) January 16, 2026
Injury and Damage Reports Now
From early morning Portland to early morning Bandon and Coos Bay.
- Casualties: No injuries or deaths.
- Infrastructure: No critical damage identified to bridges, roads, or electricity systems.
- Utilities: Power across the coast is reliable and no gas leaks or water main breaks are confirmed yet.
Geological Context
The Oregon coast sits near the volatile Cascadia Subduction Zone and the Blanco Fracture Zone. Today's 6.2 magnitude earthquake is substantial, but geologists also remind us that offshore earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 to 6.0 are not uncommon in this region because of Juan de Fuca collision with North America's plates.
