M4.9 Earthquake Miyazaki, Japan

On August 31, 2024 at 13:04 UTC, a magnitude 4.9 shallow crustal earthquake struck 36 km E of Miyazaki, Japan, at a depth of 44.2 km and coordinates 31.9125°, 131.7998°. This earthquake was detected by 43 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 369, placing it among routine seismic activity.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.9 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 338 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.4 km — 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 5.2 mainshock that occurred 8 days ago 48 km ESE of Tsunō, 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.

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

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.9 earthquake near Miyazaki, Japan?

The magnitude 4.9 earthquake that struck 36 km E of Miyazaki, Japan on August 31, 2024 at 13:04 UTC had a depth of 44.2 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.

Where did the earthquake occur?

The earthquake epicenter was located at 31.9125°, 131.7998°, which is 36 km E of Miyazaki, Japan. View all earthquakes in Japan.

Were there aftershocks?

Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.9 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.

Is this the same earthquake as the M5.2 one earlier?

No. This magnitude 4.9 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.2 mainshock that occurred earlier 48 km ESE of Tsunō, Japan. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.

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 4.9 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.

M4.9 Earthquake 36 km E of Miyazaki, Japan — August 31, 2024

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