M4.6 Earthquake east of the Kuril Islands — May 5, 2026
2026-05-05 02:01:19 UTC (2026-05-05) · approx. 12:01 PM UTC+10 local
On May 5, 2026 at 02:01 UTC, a magnitude 4.6 shallow crustal earthquake struck east of the Kuril Islands, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 47.9682°, 156.0997°. This earthquake was detected by 47 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
156.0997°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.6 earthquake east of the Kuril Islands?
The magnitude 4.6 earthquake that struck east of the Kuril Islands on May 5, 2026 at 02:01 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 47.9682°, 156.0997°, which is east of the Kuril Islands.
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: us7000siaj). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 5, 2026). M4.6 Earthquake east of the Kuril Islands — May 5, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000siaj/