Did Israel conduct underground nuclear test? 4.2 magnitude earthquake in region suggests possibility | 15 Jan 2026 | An earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale jolted residents across southern Israel on Thursday morning, triggering speculations that the Jewish state might have conducted an underground nuclear test amid the ongoing tensions in Iran and the growing possibility of a U.S. intervention. The intensity and short duration of the quake that shook Negev Desert triggered alarm bells among experts as the tremor had tell-tale signs associated with seismic activity caused by a controlled nuclear blast. Adding fuel to the speculations, the earthquake coincided with a pre-planned nationwide earthquake emergency preparedness drill in schools across Israel.