4.0

M4.0 Earthquake 229 km NW of Tobelo, IndonesiaJanuary 21, 2026

2026-01-21 23:51:55 UTC (2026-01-21) · approx. 7:51 AM UTC+8 local

MagnitudeM4.0(mb)
Time23:51 UTC7:51 AM UTC+8
Depth36.4 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates3.310°, 126.667°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On January 21, 2026 at 23:51 UTC, a magnitude 4.0 shallow crustal earthquake struck 229 km NW of Tobelo, Indonesia, at a depth of 36.4 km and coordinates 3.3097°, 126.6668°.

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 3.31°, 126.67°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.0 mb
Depth
36.4 km
shallow crustal
Location
3.3097°N
126.6668°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000s6pb
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
246
Stations Used
18
Azimuthal Gap
146.0°
Min Station Distance
3.889°
RMS Residual
0.73 sec
Last Updated
2026-04-18 14:46:42 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.0 earthquake near Tobelo, Indonesia?

The magnitude 4.0 earthquake that struck 229 km NW of Tobelo, Indonesia on January 21, 2026 at 23:51 UTC had a depth of 36.4 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.

What should I do after an earthquake?

If you were in the affected area: check yourself and others for injuries, inspect your home for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. For detailed guidance, see our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.

Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000s6pb). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, January 21, 2026). M4.0 Earthquake 229 km NW of Tobelo, IndonesiaJanuary 21, 2026. Retrieved May 15, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000s6pb/