4.2

M4.2 Earthquake in the Mariana Islands regionMarch 15, 2024

2024-03-15 18:37:37 UTC (2024-03-15) · approx. 4:37 AM UTC+10 local

MagnitudeM4.2(mb)
Time18:37 UTC4:37 AM UTC+10
Depth270.0 kmintermediate depth
Coordinates21.546°, 143.165°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On March 15, 2024 at 18:37 UTC, a magnitude 4.2 intermediate depth earthquake struck in the Mariana Islands region, at a depth of 270.0 km and coordinates 21.5461°, 143.1649°.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.2 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 30 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 476 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 21.55°, 143.16°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.2 mb
Depth
270.0 km
intermediate depth
Location
21.5461°N
143.1649°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000mk1y
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
271
Stations Used
123
Azimuthal Gap
51.0°
Min Station Distance
5.597°
RMS Residual
0.63 sec
Last Updated
2024-05-18 21:24:11 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.2 earthquake in the Mariana Islands region?

The magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck in the Mariana Islands region on March 15, 2024 at 18:37 UTC had a depth of 270.0 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 4.2 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.

Understanding This Data

Magnitude 4.2 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.

Learn more about magnitude →

Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000mk1y). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2024, March 15, 2024). M4.2 Earthquake in the Mariana Islands regionMarch 15, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000mk1y/