M4.9 Earthquake 237 km SE of Vilyuchinsk, Russia — February 24, 2026
2026-02-24 09:43:50 UTC (2026-02-24) · approx. 8:43 PM UTC+11 local
On February 24, 2026 at 09:43 UTC, a magnitude 4.9 shallow crustal earthquake struck 237 km SE of Vilyuchinsk, Russia, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 51.3860°, 160.7921°. This earthquake was detected by 196 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 369, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.9 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 338 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.4 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
The epicenter is located in Russia, a region characterized by the Kuril-Kamchatka subduction zone on the northwestern Pacific Ring of Fire. The nearest mapped fault system is the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench. View all earthquakes in Russia.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
160.7921°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.9 earthquake near Vilyuchinsk, Russia?
The magnitude 4.9 earthquake that struck 237 km SE of Vilyuchinsk, Russia on February 24, 2026 at 09:43 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 51.3860°, 160.7921°, which is 237 km SE of Vilyuchinsk, Russia. View all earthquakes in Russia.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.9 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Has Russia had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in Russia was the M9.0 Kamchatka earthquake of November 4, 1952. Today's magnitude 4.9 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
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: us7000rzy3). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, February 24, 2026). M4.9 Earthquake 237 km SE of Vilyuchinsk, Russia — February 24, 2026. Retrieved May 15, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000rzy3/