M4.0 Earthquake in the Mariana Islands region — November 9, 2020
2020-11-09 20:20:15 UTC (2020-11-09) · approx. 6:20 AM UTC+10 local
On November 9, 2020 at 20:20 UTC, a magnitude 4.0 intermediate depth earthquake struck in the Mariana Islands region, at a depth of 294.4 km and coordinates 21.6969°, 143.1479°.
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 5.0 mainshock that occurred 12 days ago in the Mariana Islands region. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 0 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
Earthquake Details
143.1479°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.0 earthquake in the Mariana Islands region?
The magnitude 4.0 earthquake that struck in the Mariana Islands region on November 9, 2020 at 20:20 UTC had a depth of 294.4 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 M5.0 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.0 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.0 mainshock that occurred earlier in the Mariana Islands region. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.0 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000ce9r). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2020, November 9, 2020). M4.0 Earthquake in the Mariana Islands region — November 9, 2020. Retrieved January 23, 2021 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000ce9r/