M4.5 Earthquake 65 km SE of Kuqa, China — May 20, 2026
2026-05-20 08:06:34 UTC (1 day ago) · approx. 2:06 PM UTC+6 local
On May 20, 2026 at 08:06 UTC, a magnitude 4.5 shallow crustal earthquake struck 65 km SE of Kuqa, China, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 41.3154°, 83.5113°. This earthquake was detected by 36 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.
Earthquake Details
83.5113°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.5 earthquake near Kuqa, China?
The magnitude 4.5 earthquake that struck 65 km SE of Kuqa, China on May 20, 2026 at 08:06 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 41.3154°, 83.5113°, which is 65 km SE of Kuqa, China.
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.
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: us6000syxi). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 20, 2026). M4.5 Earthquake 65 km SE of Kuqa, China — May 20, 2026. Retrieved May 21, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000syxi/