4.2

M4.2 Earthquake 36 km NE of Kuji, JapanMay 31, 2026

2026-05-31 10:58:53 UTC (1 hour ago) · approx. 7:58 PM UTC+9 local

MagnitudeM4.2(mb)
Time10:58 UTC7:58 PM UTC+9
Depth58.3 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates40.377°, 142.121°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On May 31, 2026 at 10:58 UTC, a magnitude 4.2 shallow crustal earthquake struck 36 km NE of Kuji, Japan, at a depth of 58.3 km and coordinates 40.3771°, 142.1211°.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.2 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 30 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 476 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 40.38°, 142.12°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.2 mb
Depth
58.3 km
shallow crustal
Location
40.3771°N
142.1211°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us7000spn7
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
271
Stations Used
35
Azimuthal Gap
174.0°
Min Station Distance
0.904°
RMS Residual
0.52 sec
Last Updated
2026-05-31 11:28:23 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.2 earthquake near Kuji, Japan?

The magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck 36 km NE of Kuji, Japan on May 31, 2026 at 10:58 UTC had a depth of 58.3 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.

Were there aftershocks?

Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.2 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: us7000spn7). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 31, 2026). M4.2 Earthquake 36 km NE of Kuji, JapanMay 31, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000spn7/