M4.6 Earthquake 46 km SSE of Kangding, China — May 4, 2026
2026-05-04 16:03:03 UTC (2026-05-04) · approx. 11:03 PM UTC+7 local
On May 4, 2026 at 16:03 UTC, a magnitude 4.6 shallow crustal earthquake struck 46 km SSE of Kangding, China, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 29.5951°, 102.0832°. 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
102.0832°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.6 earthquake near Kangding, China?
The magnitude 4.6 earthquake that struck 46 km SSE of Kangding, China on May 4, 2026 at 16:03 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 29.5951°, 102.0832°, which is 46 km SSE of Kangding, 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: us7000si5h). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 4, 2026). M4.6 Earthquake 46 km SSE of Kangding, China — May 4, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000si5h/