4.0

M4.0 Earthquake 18 km W of Oketo, JapanMay 15, 2026

2026-05-15 18:47:19 UTC (2026-05-15) · approx. 4:47 AM UTC+10 local

MagnitudeM4.0(mb)
Time18:47 UTC4:47 AM UTC+10
Depth169.0 kmintermediate depth
Coordinates43.659°, 143.362°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On May 15, 2026 at 18:47 UTC, a magnitude 4.0 intermediate depth earthquake struck 18 km W of Oketo, Japan, at a depth of 169.0 km and coordinates 43.6594°, 143.3616°.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.0 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 15 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 347 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 43.66°, 143.36°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.0 mb
Depth
169.0 km
intermediate depth
Location
43.6594°N
143.3616°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000szb1
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
246
Stations Used
59
Azimuthal Gap
131.0°
Min Station Distance
0.721°
RMS Residual
0.52 sec
Last Updated
2026-05-24 16:18:22 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.0 earthquake near Oketo, Japan?

The magnitude 4.0 earthquake that struck 18 km W of Oketo, Japan on May 15, 2026 at 18:47 UTC had a depth of 169.0 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 4.0 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: us6000szb1). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 15, 2026). M4.0 Earthquake 18 km W of Oketo, JapanMay 15, 2026. Retrieved May 24, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000szb1/