M4.4 Earthquake 171 km E of Noda, Japan — March 15, 2024
2024-03-15 23:24:51 UTC (2024-03-15) · approx. 9:24 AM UTC+10 local
On March 15, 2024 at 23:24 UTC, a magnitude 4.4 shallow crustal earthquake struck 171 km E of Noda, Japan, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 40.3498°, 143.8040°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.4 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 60 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 655 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 5.1 mainshock that occurred 26 days ago 133 km ENE of Miyako, Japan. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 0 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.

Earthquake Details
143.8040°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.4 earthquake near Noda, Japan?
The magnitude 4.4 earthquake that struck 171 km E of Noda, Japan on March 15, 2024 at 23:24 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 4.4 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.1 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.4 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.1 mainshock that occurred earlier 133 km ENE of Miyako, Japan. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.4 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000mj6v). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2024, March 15, 2024). M4.4 Earthquake 171 km E of Noda, Japan — March 15, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000mj6v/