M4.4 Earthquake 294 km NE of Hadibu, Yemen — October 21, 2021
2021-10-21 23:05:34 UTC (2021-10-21) · approx. 3:05 AM UTC+4 local
On October 21, 2021 at 23:05 UTC, a magnitude 4.4 shallow crustal earthquake struck 294 km NE of Hadibu, Yemen, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 14.3425°, 56.1171°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.4 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 60 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 655 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 16 days ago in the Owen Fracture Zone 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
56.1171°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.4 earthquake near Hadibu, Yemen?
The magnitude 4.4 earthquake that struck 294 km NE of Hadibu, Yemen on October 21, 2021 at 23:05 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 4.4 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 4.4 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.0 mainshock that occurred earlier in the Owen Fracture Zone region. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.4 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000fp8j). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2021, October 21, 2021). M4.4 Earthquake 294 km NE of Hadibu, Yemen — October 21, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2021 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000fp8j/