A moderate magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck 62 km W of Petrolia, United States on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 12:45:36 PM UTC. This shallow crustal event (10.0 km depth) released energy equivalent to approximately 674 tons of TNT. Here is the verified NC telemetry, live epicenter map, and ground shaking assessment.
5.1MW
Moderate Seismic Class
10.0km
Crustal Layer
40.365° N, 125.018° W
GPS Coordinates
674 tons
TNT Equivalent Power
NC
USGS Real-time Feed
A magnitude 5.1 event is classified as a moderate earthquake. Can cause slight to moderate damage to poorly constructed buildings. Felt widely across nearby communities within dozens of kilometers.
Felt by nearly everyone. Sleeping people awakened; small unstable objects overturned.
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:
United States's seismicity is fundamentally governed by its tectonic setting: Pacific Plate sliding past North American Plate along San Andreas; Juan de Fuca subducting along Cascadia; Pacific subduction along the Aleutian Trench. Major regional fault structures include San Andreas Fault System, Cascadia Subduction Zone, Aleutian Megathrust, Hayward Fault, New Madrid Seismic Zone.
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.
Following an earthquake of magnitude 5.1, an active aftershock sequence is expected over the coming days and weeks. In accordance with Omori's Law and Båth's Law of seismology, secondary tremors decrease in frequency over time, with the largest expected aftershock historically averaging approximately 1.0 to 1.2 magnitude units below the mainshock. Local residents should remain vigilant for secondary shaking, particularly when inspecting older structures or unreinforced masonry.
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