4.4

M4.4 Earthquake 17 km NNW of Kanaya, JapanMay 8, 2026

2026-05-08 03:36:10 UTC (18 hours ago) · approx. 12:36 PM UTC+9 local

MagnitudeM4.4(mb)
Time03:36 UTC12:36 PM UTC+9
Depth27.9 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates34.976°, 138.075°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On May 8, 2026 at 03:36 UTC, a magnitude 4.4 shallow crustal earthquake struck 17 km NNW of Kanaya, Japan, at a depth of 27.9 km and coordinates 34.9763°, 138.0748°.

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 34.98°, 138.07°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.4 mb
Depth
27.9 km
shallow crustal
Location
34.9763°N
138.0748°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000sw45
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
298
Stations Used
36
Azimuthal Gap
143.0°
Min Station Distance
0.860°
RMS Residual
0.69 sec
Last Updated
2026-05-08 04:32:41 UTC

Common Questions

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

The magnitude 4.4 earthquake that struck 17 km NNW of Kanaya, Japan on May 8, 2026 at 03:36 UTC had a depth of 27.9 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: us6000sw45). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 8, 2026). M4.4 Earthquake 17 km NNW of Kanaya, JapanMay 8, 2026. Retrieved May 8, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000sw45/