4.0

M4.0 Earthquake 254 km NNW of Nagqu, ChinaMay 18, 2023

2023-05-18 21:18:30 UTC (2023-05-18) · approx. 3:18 AM UTC+6 local

MagnitudeM4.0(mb)
Time21:18 UTC3:18 AM UTC+6
Depth10.0 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates33.624°, 91.090°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On May 18, 2023 at 21:18 UTC, a magnitude 4.0 shallow crustal earthquake struck 254 km NNW of Nagqu, China, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 33.6241°, 91.0903°.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.0 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 15 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 347 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 33.62°, 91.09°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.0 mb
Depth
10.0 km
shallow crustal
Location
33.6241°N
91.0903°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000kcyp
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
246
Stations Used
53
Azimuthal Gap
52.0°
Min Station Distance
3.909°
RMS Residual
0.50 sec
Last Updated
2023-07-24 01:16:10 UTC

Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.0 earthquake near Nagqu, China?

The magnitude 4.0 earthquake that struck 254 km NNW of Nagqu, China on May 18, 2023 at 21:18 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.

Were there aftershocks?

Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.0 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.

Understanding This Data

Magnitude 4.0 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.

Learn more about magnitude →

Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000kcyp). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2023, May 18, 2023). M4.0 Earthquake 254 km NNW of Nagqu, ChinaMay 18, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000kcyp/