M4.6 Earthquake 99 km ESE of Kuqa, China — May 3, 2026
2026-05-03 18:39:57 UTC (1 hour ago) · approx. 12:39 AM UTC+6 local
On May 3, 2026 at 18:39 UTC, a magnitude 4.6 shallow crustal earthquake struck 99 km ESE of Kuqa, China, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 41.3300°, 84.0021°. This earthquake was detected by 63 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 326, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.6 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 120 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 899 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
84.0021°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.6 earthquake near Kuqa, China?
The magnitude 4.6 earthquake that struck 99 km ESE of Kuqa, China on May 3, 2026 at 18:39 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 41.3300°, 84.0021°, which is 99 km ESE of Kuqa, China.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.6 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: us7000si03). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 3, 2026). M4.6 Earthquake 99 km ESE of Kuqa, China — May 3, 2026. Retrieved May 3, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000si03/