M5.3 Earthquake 71 km ENE of Mutsu, Japan — February 20, 2026
2026-02-20 14:16:30 UTC (2026-02-20) · approx. 11:16 PM UTC+9 local
On February 20, 2026 at 14:16 UTC, a magnitude 5.3 shallow crustal earthquake struck 71 km ENE of Mutsu, Japan, at a depth of 54.2 km and coordinates 41.5427°, 141.9999°. This earthquake was detected by 80 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 432, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.3 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 1 kilotons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.7 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
141.9999°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.3 earthquake near Mutsu, Japan?
The magnitude 5.3 earthquake that struck 71 km ENE of Mutsu, Japan on February 20, 2026 at 14:16 UTC had a depth of 54.2 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 41.5427°, 141.9999°, which is 71 km ENE of Mutsu, Japan. View all earthquakes in Japan.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.3 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 5.3 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
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: us6000sae0). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, February 20, 2026). M5.3 Earthquake 71 km ENE of Mutsu, Japan — February 20, 2026. Retrieved May 21, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000sae0/