M4.5 Earthquake 70 km ENE of Noda, Japan — April 28, 2026
2026-04-28 10:14:57 UTC (21 hours ago) · approx. 8:14 PM UTC+10 local
Aftershock of the M5.0 mainshock.
On April 28, 2026 at 10:14 UTC, a magnitude 4.5 shallow crustal earthquake struck 70 km ENE of Noda, Japan, at a depth of 44.0 km and coordinates 40.3625°, 142.5804°. This earthquake was detected by 77 seismic stations with good 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 5.0 mainshock that occurred 2 days ago 77 km ENE of Miyako, Japan. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 3 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
The epicenter is located in Japan, a region characterized by the intersection of four tectonic plates — Pacific, Philippine Sea, Eurasian, and North American — creating multiple subduction zones. The nearest mapped fault system is the Japan Trench. View all earthquakes in Japan.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
142.5804°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.5 earthquake near Noda, Japan?
The magnitude 4.5 earthquake that struck 70 km ENE of Noda, Japan on April 28, 2026 at 10:14 UTC had a depth of 44.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 40.3625°, 142.5804°, which is 70 km ENE of Noda, Japan. View all earthquakes in Japan.
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 M5.0 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.5 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.0 mainshock that occurred earlier 77 km ENE of Miyako, Japan. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
Has Japan had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in Japan was the M9.1 Tohoku earthquake of March 11, 2011. Today's magnitude 4.5 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: us7000sgmq). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, April 28, 2026). M4.5 Earthquake 70 km ENE of Noda, Japan — April 28, 2026. Retrieved April 29, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000sgmq/