M4.2 Earthquake 36 km SE of Jurm, Afghanistan — July 17, 2026
2026-07-17 19:20:16 UTC (4 hours ago) · approx. 12:20 AM UTC+5 local
On July 17, 2026 at 19:20 UTC, a magnitude 4.2 intermediate depth earthquake struck 36 km SE of Jurm, Afghanistan, at a depth of 211.3 km and coordinates 36.5939°, 71.0660°.
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.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 6.1 mainshock that occurred 20 days ago 43 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 3 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for weeks to months as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
Earthquake Details
71.0660°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.2 earthquake near Jurm, Afghanistan?
The magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck 36 km SE of Jurm, Afghanistan on July 17, 2026 at 19:20 UTC had a depth of 211.3 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.
Is this the same earthquake as the M6.1 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.2 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 6.1 mainshock that occurred earlier 43 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.2 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000t1g8). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, July 17, 2026). M4.2 Earthquake 36 km SE of Jurm, Afghanistan — July 17, 2026. Retrieved July 17, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000t1g8/