4.3

M4.3 Earthquake 120 km SE of Yantzaza, EcuadorMay 8, 2026

2026-05-08 17:50:14 UTC (8 hours ago) · approx. 12:50 PM UTC-5 local

MagnitudeM4.3(mb)
Time17:50 UTC12:50 PM UTC-5
Depth37.8 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates-4.605°, -77.995°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On May 8, 2026 at 17:50 UTC, a magnitude 4.3 shallow crustal earthquake struck 120 km SE of Yantzaza, Ecuador, at a depth of 37.8 km and coordinates -4.6052°, -77.9947°.

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 -4.61°, -77.99°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.3 mb
Depth
37.8 km
shallow crustal
Location
-4.6052°N
-77.9947°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000swaq
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
284
Stations Used
29
Azimuthal Gap
125.0°
Min Station Distance
2.319°
RMS Residual
0.48 sec
Last Updated
2026-05-08 18:49:23 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.3 earthquake near Yantzaza, Ecuador?

The magnitude 4.3 earthquake that struck 120 km SE of Yantzaza, Ecuador on May 8, 2026 at 17:50 UTC had a depth of 37.8 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: us6000swaq). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 8, 2026). M4.3 Earthquake 120 km SE of Yantzaza, EcuadorMay 8, 2026. Retrieved May 9, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000swaq/