M4.9 Earthquake 267 km SSE of Dunhuang, China — June 17, 2026
2026-06-17 02:06:18 UTC (1 hour ago) · approx. 8:06 AM UTC+6 local
Aftershock of the M5.0 mainshock.
On June 17, 2026 at 02:06 UTC, a magnitude 4.9 shallow crustal earthquake struck 267 km SSE of Dunhuang, China, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 37.8426°, 95.5079°. This earthquake was detected by 32 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 369, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.9 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 338 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.4 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 5.0 mainshock that occurred 16 hours ago 261 km SSE of Dunhuang, China. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 6 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
Earthquake Details
95.5079°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.9 earthquake near Dunhuang, China?
The magnitude 4.9 earthquake that struck 267 km SSE of Dunhuang, China on June 17, 2026 at 02:06 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 37.8426°, 95.5079°, which is 267 km SSE of Dunhuang, China.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.9 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.0 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.9 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.0 mainshock that occurred earlier 261 km SSE of Dunhuang, China. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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: us7000stjw). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, June 17, 2026). M4.9 Earthquake 267 km SSE of Dunhuang, China — June 17, 2026. Retrieved June 17, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000stjw/