M4.2 Earthquake 53 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan — August 12, 2026
2026-08-12 11:29:01 UTC (6 days ago) · approx. 4:29 PM UTC+5 local
On August 12, 2026 at 11:29 UTC, a magnitude 4.2 intermediate depth earthquake struck 53 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan, at a depth of 143.6 km and coordinates 36.3843°, 70.9096°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.2 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 30 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 476 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 13 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.
Earthquake Details
70.9096°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.2 earthquake near Jurm, Afghanistan?
The magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck 53 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan on August 12, 2026 at 11:29 UTC had a depth of 143.6 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 4.2 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 4.2 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.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.2 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000tk6z). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, August 12, 2026). M4.2 Earthquake 53 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan — August 12, 2026. Retrieved August 19, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000tk6z/