4.0

M4.0 Earthquake 20 km S of Jurm, AfghanistanAugust 12, 2026

2026-08-12 09:55:52 UTC (2026-08-12) · approx. 2:55 PM UTC+5 local

MagnitudeM4.0(mb)
Time09:55 UTC2:55 PM UTC+5
Depth236.1 kmintermediate depth
Coordinates36.684°, 70.878°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On August 12, 2026 at 09:55 UTC, a magnitude 4.0 intermediate depth earthquake struck 20 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan, at a depth of 236.1 km and coordinates 36.6841°, 70.8776°.

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.

This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 5.3 mainshock that occurred 14 hours ago 35 km SSW of Jurm, Afghanistan. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 3 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 36.68°, 70.88°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.0 mb
Depth
236.1 km
intermediate depth
Location
36.6841°N
70.8776°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000tk6k
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
246
Stations Used
37
Azimuthal Gap
104.0°
Min Station Distance
2.068°
RMS Residual
0.71 sec
Last Updated
2026-08-19 08:01:11 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.0 earthquake near Jurm, Afghanistan?

The magnitude 4.0 earthquake that struck 20 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan on August 12, 2026 at 09:55 UTC had a depth of 236.1 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.

Is this the same earthquake as the M5.3 one earlier?

No. This magnitude 4.0 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.3 mainshock that occurred earlier 35 km SSW of Jurm, Afghanistan. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.

Understanding This Data

Magnitude 4.0 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.

Learn more about magnitude →

Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000tk6k). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, August 12, 2026). M4.0 Earthquake 20 km S of Jurm, AfghanistanAugust 12, 2026. Retrieved August 19, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000tk6k/