M4.5 Earthquake 14 km W of Bowangshan, China — March 26, 2026
2026-03-26 18:42:28 UTC (2026-03-26) · approx. 1:42 AM UTC+7 local
Aftershock of the M5.2 mainshock.
On March 26, 2026 at 18:42 UTC, a magnitude 4.5 shallow crustal earthquake struck 14 km W of Bowangshan, China, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 28.3073°, 104.9069°. This earthquake was detected by 72 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 312, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 85 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 767 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 5.2 mainshock that occurred 7 days ago 8 km WNW of Changning, China. 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
104.9069°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.5 earthquake near Bowangshan, China?
The magnitude 4.5 earthquake that struck 14 km W of Bowangshan, China on March 26, 2026 at 18:42 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 28.3073°, 104.9069°, which is 14 km W of Bowangshan, China.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.5 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.2 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.5 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.2 mainshock that occurred earlier 8 km WNW of Changning, China. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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: us7000s7wv). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, March 26, 2026). M4.5 Earthquake 14 km W of Bowangshan, China — March 26, 2026. Retrieved June 10, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000s7wv/