M4.7 Earthquake 24 km WNW of Gaolou, China — January 3, 2026
2026-01-03 13:21:54 UTC (2026-01-03) · approx. 8:21 PM UTC+7 local
On January 3, 2026 at 13:21 UTC, a magnitude 4.7 shallow crustal earthquake struck 24 km WNW of Gaolou, China, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 34.8378°, 104.4259°. This earthquake was detected by 41 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 340, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.7 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 169 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.1 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
104.4259°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.7 earthquake near Gaolou, China?
The magnitude 4.7 earthquake that struck 24 km WNW of Gaolou, China on January 3, 2026 at 13:21 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 34.8378°, 104.4259°, which is 24 km WNW of Gaolou, China.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.7 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
What should I do after an earthquake?
If you were in the affected area: check yourself and others for injuries, inspect your home for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. For detailed guidance, see our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000rm9x). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, January 3, 2026). M4.7 Earthquake 24 km WNW of Gaolou, China — January 3, 2026. Retrieved May 12, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000rm9x/