4.4

M4.4 Earthquake 77 km S of Kushiro, JapanMarch 17, 2026

2026-03-17 21:13:32 UTC (2026-03-17) · approx. 7:13 AM UTC+10 local

MagnitudeM4.4(mb)
Time21:13 UTC7:13 AM UTC+10
Depth35.0 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates42.277°, 144.395°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On March 17, 2026 at 21:13 UTC, a magnitude 4.4 shallow crustal earthquake struck 77 km S of Kushiro, Japan, at a depth of 35.0 km and coordinates 42.2773°, 144.3951°.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.4 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 60 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 655 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 42.28°, 144.40°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.4 mb
Depth
35.0 km
shallow crustal
Location
42.2773°N
144.3951°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000sh1g
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
298
Stations Used
48
Azimuthal Gap
125.0°
Min Station Distance
0.957°
RMS Residual
0.59 sec
Last Updated
2026-04-08 00:06:30 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.4 earthquake near Kushiro, Japan?

The magnitude 4.4 earthquake that struck 77 km S of Kushiro, Japan on March 17, 2026 at 21:13 UTC had a depth of 35.0 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 4.4 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: us6000sh1g). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, March 17, 2026). M4.4 Earthquake 77 km S of Kushiro, JapanMarch 17, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000sh1g/