M4.4 Earthquake 121 km ENE of Miyako, Japan — May 14, 2026
2026-05-14 22:33:51 UTC (2026-05-14) · approx. 8:33 AM UTC+10 local
On May 14, 2026 at 22:33 UTC, a magnitude 4.4 shallow crustal earthquake struck 121 km ENE of Miyako, Japan, at a depth of 24.4 km and coordinates 39.8749°, 143.3295°.
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.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 5.3 mainshock that occurred 17 days ago 151 km E of Miyako, Japan. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 1 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.

Earthquake Details
143.3295°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.4 earthquake near Miyako, Japan?
The magnitude 4.4 earthquake that struck 121 km ENE of Miyako, Japan on May 14, 2026 at 22:33 UTC had a depth of 24.4 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.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.3 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.4 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.3 mainshock that occurred earlier 151 km E of Miyako, Japan. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.4 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000sz9v). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 14, 2026). M4.4 Earthquake 121 km ENE of Miyako, Japan — May 14, 2026. Retrieved July 25, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000sz9v/