M5.2 Earthquake 51 km W of Otobe, Japan — August 8, 2024
2024-08-08 12:49:16 UTC (2024-08-08) · approx. 9:49 PM UTC+9 local
On August 8, 2024 at 12:49 UTC, a magnitude 5.2 intermediate depth earthquake struck 51 km W of Otobe, Japan, at a depth of 193.6 km and coordinates 42.0164°, 139.5219°. This earthquake was detected by 121 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 416, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.2 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 951 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.3 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
The epicenter is located in Japan, a region characterized by the intersection of four tectonic plates — Pacific, Philippine Sea, Eurasian, and North American — creating multiple subduction zones. The nearest mapped fault system is the Japan Trench. View all earthquakes in Japan.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
139.5219°E
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.2 earthquake near Otobe, Japan?
The magnitude 5.2 earthquake that struck 51 km W of Otobe, Japan on August 8, 2024 at 12:49 UTC had a depth of 193.6 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 42.0164°, 139.5219°, which is 51 km W of Otobe, Japan. View all earthquakes in Japan.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.2 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks and gradually diminish over time.
Has Japan had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in Japan was the M9.1 Tohoku earthquake of March 11, 2011. Today's magnitude 5.2 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
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Location
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000niuu). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2024, August 8, 2024). M5.2 Earthquake 51 km W of Otobe, Japan — August 8, 2024. Retrieved October 24, 2024 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000niuu/