M4.5 Earthquake 86 km WSW of Zhaotong, China — April 23, 2026
2026-04-23 14:59:46 UTC (2026-04-23) · approx. 9:59 PM UTC+7 local
On April 23, 2026 at 14:59 UTC, a magnitude 4.5 shallow crustal earthquake struck 86 km WSW of Zhaotong, China, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 27.1014°, 102.8792°. This earthquake was detected by 29 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.
Earthquake Details
102.8792°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.5 earthquake near Zhaotong, China?
The magnitude 4.5 earthquake that struck 86 km WSW of Zhaotong, China on April 23, 2026 at 14:59 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 27.1014°, 102.8792°, which is 86 km WSW of Zhaotong, 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.
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: us7000sha8). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, April 23, 2026). M4.5 Earthquake 86 km WSW of Zhaotong, China — April 23, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000sha8/