4.0

M4.0 Earthquake 101 km W of Tobelo, IndonesiaSeptember 13, 2023

2023-09-13 23:51:54 UTC (2023-09-13) · approx. 7:51 AM UTC+8 local

MagnitudeM4.0(mb)
Time23:51 UTC7:51 AM UTC+8
Depth125.6 kmintermediate depth
Coordinates1.772°, 127.101°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On September 13, 2023 at 23:51 UTC, a magnitude 4.0 intermediate depth earthquake struck 101 km W of Tobelo, Indonesia, at a depth of 125.6 km and coordinates 1.7725°, 127.1011°.

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 20 days ago 64 km W of Tobelo, Indonesia. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 1 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 1.77°, 127.10°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.0 mb
Depth
125.6 km
intermediate depth
Location
1.7725°N
127.1011°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us7000kwhj
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
246
Stations Used
21
Azimuthal Gap
109.0°
Min Station Distance
1.029°
RMS Residual
0.62 sec
Last Updated
2023-11-18 22:29:35 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.0 earthquake near Tobelo, Indonesia?

The magnitude 4.0 earthquake that struck 101 km W of Tobelo, Indonesia on September 13, 2023 at 23:51 UTC had a depth of 125.6 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 4.0 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 64 km W of Tobelo, Indonesia. 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: us7000kwhj). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2023, September 13, 2023). M4.0 Earthquake 101 km W of Tobelo, IndonesiaSeptember 13, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2023 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000kwhj/