M4.1 Earthquake 272 km SSE of Dunhuang, China — June 23, 2026
2026-06-23 11:57:57 UTC (2026-06-23) · approx. 5:57 PM UTC+6 local
On June 23, 2026 at 11:57 UTC, a magnitude 4.1 shallow crustal earthquake struck 272 km SSE of Dunhuang, China, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 37.7578°, 95.3131°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.1 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 21 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 406 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 23 days ago 272 km SSE of Dunhuang, China. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 2 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
Earthquake Details
95.3131°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.1 earthquake near Dunhuang, China?
The magnitude 4.1 earthquake that struck 272 km SSE of Dunhuang, China on June 23, 2026 at 11:57 UTC had a depth of 10.0 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 4.1 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 4.1 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.3 mainshock that occurred earlier 272 km SSE of Dunhuang, China. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.1 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000t90q). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, June 23, 2026). M4.1 Earthquake 272 km SSE of Dunhuang, China — June 23, 2026. Retrieved July 15, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000t90q/