4.2-magnitude earthquake recorded in southern Israel; no reports of injuries
Epicenter of quake identified near Dimona, setting off warning sirens and sparking fears of missile attack among some residents amid heightened tensions with Iran
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake struck southern Israel Thursday morning, setting off alerts in the Dead Sea and southern Negev regions.
There were no reports of injuries or major damage as a result of the quake, the Magen David Adom emergency service said.
According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Center, the epicenter of the event was near Dimona.
The quake occurred more than 20 kilometers (12 miles) underneath the surface of the earth, according to the Geological Survey of Israel.
No significant aftershocks were felt in its wake.
The quake set off sirens and public safety messages from loudspeakers in several towns near its epicenter, leading some residents to mistake them for missile sirens amid heightened tensions with Iran and fear of imminent missile attack.
????#Earthquake (#زلزال) M4.2 occurred 19 km E of #Dimona (#Israel) 11 min ago (local time 09:00:26). More info at:
????https://t.co/QMSpuj6Z2H
????https://t.co/hRZ6g71JMk
????https://t.co/8xeUqcWYoD pic.twitter.com/KpcsGMhfpa— EMSC (@LastQuake) January 15, 2026
The quake occurred near the Jordan Valley, which sits on a major seismic rift zone between the African and Arabian tectonic plates.
The area is particularly prone to seismic activity, and experts estimate that a major earthquake occurs there every 80 to 100 years. The last major tremor struck in 1927, killing 500 people and injuring 700, and there are fears that the next one may be imminent.
According to officials speaking to the Knesset Internal Affairs and Environment Committee in November, Israel remains woefully unprepared for a major earthquake, despite more than 20 years of warnings and repeated state audits highlighting systemic gaps.
The Times of Israel Community.