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A light magnitude 4.3 earthquake struck 216 km SSE of Vilyuchinsk, Russia on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 07:36:03 AM UTC. This shallow crustal event (10.0 km depth) released energy equivalent to approximately 43 tons of TNT. Here is the verified US telemetry, live epicenter map, and ground shaking assessment.
(216 km SSE of)4.3MB
Light Seismic Class
10.0km
Crustal Layer
51.119° N, 159.573° E
GPS Coordinates
43 tons
TNT Equivalent Power
US
USGS Real-time Feed
A magnitude 4.3 event is classified as a light earthquake. Noticeable shaking of indoor objects and rattling doors/windows. Generally causes none to slight non-structural damage in older buildings.
Felt only by a few persons at rest, especially on upper floors.
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Earthquake strength is measured on a logarithmic scale. Compare this event with the full seismic scale:
Because seismic scales are logarithmic, each whole integer increase represents:
Russia's seismicity is fundamentally governed by its tectonic setting: Pacific Plate subducting beneath the Okhotsk/North American Plate along the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench at ~80 mm/year, plus the active Baikal continental rift zone. Major regional fault structures include Kuril-Kamchatka Trench, Baikal Rift Zone, Greater Caucasus Thrust Faults.
Originating at a depth of 10.0 km (Earth's Crust (0–70 km)), this rupture occurred occurred within the brittle upper crust. shallow earthquakes produce the highest peak ground acceleration and the sharpest surface shaking.
Seismologists note that minor aftershocks remain common in the 24 to 48 hours following tremors of magnitude 4.3. According to statistical seismic models, there is roughly a 5% probability of a subsequent event of equal or greater strength occurring in the same fault zone. Residents in Russia are advised to check living spaces for unsecured items.
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