4.3

M4.3 Earthquake 27 km NW of Yawatahama, JapanMarch 15, 2026

2026-03-15 20:25:17 UTC (2026-03-15) · approx. 5:25 AM UTC+9 local

MagnitudeM4.3(mb)
Time20:25 UTC5:25 AM UTC+9
Depth68.5 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates33.628°, 132.212°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On March 15, 2026 at 20:25 UTC, a magnitude 4.3 shallow crustal earthquake struck 27 km NW of Yawatahama, Japan, at a depth of 68.5 km and coordinates 33.6283°, 132.2121°.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 43 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 558 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 33.63°, 132.21°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.3 mb
Depth
68.5 km
shallow crustal
Location
33.6283°N
132.2121°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000sght
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
284
Stations Used
34
Azimuthal Gap
92.0°
Min Station Distance
1.391°
RMS Residual
0.43 sec
Last Updated
2026-03-28 15:41:01 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.3 earthquake near Yawatahama, Japan?

The magnitude 4.3 earthquake that struck 27 km NW of Yawatahama, Japan on March 15, 2026 at 20:25 UTC had a depth of 68.5 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 4.3 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: us6000sght). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, March 15, 2026). M4.3 Earthquake 27 km NW of Yawatahama, JapanMarch 15, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000sght/