M3.9 Earthquake 40 km NE of Meishan, China — May 17, 2026
2026-05-17 23:42:48 UTC (2026-05-17) · approx. 6:42 AM UTC+7 local
On May 17, 2026 at 23:42 UTC, a magnitude 3.9 shallow crustal earthquake struck 40 km NE of Meishan, China, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 30.2769°, 104.1555°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 3.9 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 11 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 296 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
104.1555°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 3.9 earthquake near Meishan, China?
The magnitude 3.9 earthquake that struck 40 km NE of Meishan, China on May 17, 2026 at 23:42 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a minor earthquake typically detected only by instruments.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 3.9 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.
Actions
Location
Understanding This Data
Magnitude 3.9 earthquakes are typically only recorded by instruments.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000szjh). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 17, 2026). M3.9 Earthquake 40 km NE of Meishan, China — May 17, 2026. Retrieved June 18, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000szjh/