M4.5 Earthquake 179 km SE of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia — May 12, 2026
2026-05-12 04:08:24 UTC (2 hours ago) · approx. 3:08 PM UTC+11 local
On May 12, 2026 at 04:08 UTC, a magnitude 4.5 shallow crustal earthquake struck 179 km SE of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 52.1738°, 160.8367°. This earthquake was detected by 43 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 312, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 85 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 767 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
The epicenter is located in Russia, a region characterized by the Kuril-Kamchatka subduction zone on the northwestern Pacific Ring of Fire. The nearest mapped fault system is the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench. View all earthquakes in Russia.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
160.8367°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.5 earthquake near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia?
The magnitude 4.5 earthquake that struck 179 km SE of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia on May 12, 2026 at 04:08 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 52.1738°, 160.8367°, which is 179 km SE of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia. View all earthquakes in Russia.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.5 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Has Russia had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in Russia was the M9.0 Kamchatka earthquake of November 4, 1952. Today's magnitude 4.5 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: us6000sx2w). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 12, 2026). M4.5 Earthquake 179 km SE of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia — May 12, 2026. Retrieved May 12, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000sx2w/