A shallow MAG-4.3 earthquake struck in the Sea of Japan 120 kilometer from Matsue, Japan in the evening of Wednesday July 26th, 2023.
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Earthquake Summary
This earthquake hit under water in the Sea of Japan, 74 kilometers (46 mi) off the coast of Japan, 120 kilometer north-northwest of Matsue in Shimane. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 11 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.
| Date and Time: | Jul 26, 2023 21:37 (Tokyo Time) - Jul 26, 2023 12:37 Universal Time. |
|---|---|
| Location: | 120 km NNW of Matsue, Shimane, Japan. Coordinates 36°29'10"N 132°33'41"E. |
| Map: |  Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps. |
| Magnitude: | MAG 4.3 Detected by 18 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.125 . |
| Depth: | 11 km (7 mi) A very shallow depth. |
| Tsunami Risk: | Low tsunami risk Earthquakes under MAG-6.5 do not usually cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here. |
Nearby towns and cities
This earthquake may have been felt in Japan . Hiratachō in Shimane, Japan is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 119 kilometer (74 mi) north-northwest of Hiratachō.
Major cities near this earthquake: Hiroshima is located 232 km to the south. Okayama is located 239 km to the south-southeast. Kurashiki is located 238 km to the south-southeast.
A complete list of nearby places is included below.
Overview of nearby places
| Distance | Place |
|---|---|
| 119 km (74 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Hiratachō Shimane, Japan. |
| 120 km (75 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Matsue Shimane, Japan. |
| 121 km (75 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Sakaiminato Tottori, Japan. |
| 126 km (78 mi) S from epicenter |
Izumo Shimane, Japan. |
| 133 km (83 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Yasugichō Shimane, Japan. |
| 136 km (85 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Yonago Tottori, Japan. |
| 144 km (89 mi) S from epicenter |
Ōdachō-ōda Shimane, Japan. |
| 163 km (101 mi) SE from epicenter |
Kurayoshi Tottori, Japan. |
| 167 km (104 mi) S from epicenter |
Gōtsuchō Shimane, Japan. |
| 183 km (114 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Hamada Shimane, Japan. |
| 186 km (116 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Niimi Okayama, Japan. |
| 186 km (116 mi) SE from epicenter |
Tottori Tottori, Japan. |
| 187 km (116 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Shōbara Hirochima, Japan. |
| 189 km (117 mi) S from epicenter |
Miyoshi Hirochima, Japan. |
| 206 km (128 mi) SE from epicenter |
Tsuyama Okayama, Japan. |
| 212 km (132 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Masuda Shimane, Japan. |
| 221 km (137 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Fuchūchō Hirochima, Japan. |
| 225 km (140 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Ibara Okayama, Japan. |
| 228 km (142 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Sōja Okayama, Japan. |
| 228 km (142 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Kannabechō-yahiro Hirochima, Japan. |
| 229 km (142 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Toyooka Hyōgo, Japan. |
| 232 km (144 mi) S from epicenter |
Hiroshima Hirochima, Japan. |
| 234 km (145 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Fukuyama Hirochima, Japan. |
| 236 km (147 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Kasaoka Okayama, Japan. |
| 237 km (147 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Onomichi Hirochima, Japan. |
| 237 km (147 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Mihara Hirochima, Japan. |
| 238 km (148 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Kurashiki Okayama, Japan. |
| 238 km (148 mi) S from epicenter |
Hatsukaichi Hirochima, Japan. |
| 239 km (149 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Okayama Okayama, Japan. |
| 251 km (156 mi) S from epicenter |
Kure Hirochima, Japan. |
| 252 km (157 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Tamano Okayama, Japan. |
| 254 km (158 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Hagi Yamaguchi, Japan. |
| 254 km (158 mi) SE from epicenter |
Kariya Hyōgo, Japan. |
| 260 km (162 mi) S from epicenter |
Iwakuni Yamaguchi, Japan. |
| 265 km (165 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Fukuchiyama Kyoto, Japan. |
| 267 km (166 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Sakaidechō Kagawa, Japan. |
| 268 km (167 mi) SE from epicenter |
Himeji Hyōgo, Japan. |
| 269 km (167 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Marugame Kagawa, Japan. |
| 275 km (171 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Maizuru Kyoto, Japan. |
| 275 km (171 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Takamatsu Kagawa, Japan. |
| 275 km (171 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Yamaguchi Yamaguchi, Japan. |
| 279 km (173 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Tokuyama Yamaguchi, Japan. |
| 280 km (174 mi) SE from epicenter |
Kakogawachō-honmachi Hyōgo, Japan. |
| 284 km (176 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Kudamatsu Yamaguchi, Japan. |
| 286 km (178 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Hōfu Yamaguchi, Japan. |
| 288 km (179 mi) SE from epicenter |
Miki Hyōgo, Japan. |
| 289 km (180 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Niihama Ehime, Japan. |
| 291 km (181 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Saijō Ehime, Japan. |
| 291 km (181 mi) W from epicenter |
Pohang Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. |
| 295 km (183 mi) S from epicenter |
Matsuyama Ehime, Japan. |
| 296 km (184 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Ikedachō Tokushima, Japan. |
| 299 km (186 mi) SE from epicenter |
Sandachō Hyōgo, Japan. |
Risk of aftershocks?
We have not yet detected any foreshocks or aftershocks (MAG-2.5 or higher) within 100km (62 mi) of this earthquake.
Earthquakes can create aftershocks. These are generally at least 1 magnitude lower than any main shock, and as time passes the chance and strength of aftershocks decreases.
The chance that a significant earthquake like this one is followed by an even larger earthquake is not so large. On average, scientists estimate a 94% chance that a major earthquake will not be followed by an even larger one. It is still adviced to be aware of this risk
Read: How to Stay Safe during an Earthquake (cdc.gov).Earthquakes like this happen often in the region
Earthquakes of this strength are very common in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since January 1st, 2023, when a 4.3 magnitude earthquake hit 247 km (153 mi) further east-northeast. An even stronger magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck on October 21st, 2016.
In total, 35 earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.3 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 3 months.
Low tsunami risk
Based on early data it appears this earthquake was not strong enough (lower than MAG-6.5) to be likely to cause destructive tsunami's. However this earthquake appeared to have hit at a shallow depth under sea, so stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.
Tsunami Risk Factors
| Factor | Under Sea? | MAG-6.5 or stronger? | Shallow depth? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | Almost all tsunami's are caused by earthquakes with their epicenter under sea or very near the sea. However stay cautious in coastal areas as earthquakes on land may cause landslides into sea, potentially still causing a local tsunami. | Under MAG 6.5: Very unlikely to cause a tsunami. MAG 6.5 to 7.5: Destructive tsunami's do occur, but are uncommon. Likely to observe small sea level changes. MAG 7.6+: Earthquakes with these magnitudes might produce destructive tsunami's. |
Most destructive tsunami's are caused by shallow earthquakes with a depth between 0 and 100km under the surface of the earth. Deeper tsunami's are unlikely to displace to ocean floor. |
| This Earthquake | This earthquake appears to have struck under the sea. | Not this earthquake. This earthquake had a magnitude of 4.3. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami. |
This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 11 km (7 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami. |
Sources
Last updated 23/09/23 15:57 (). This article contains currently available information about the earthquake and is automatically composed. We continue to update this article up to a few days after the earthquake occurred.
- US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us6000kvmp
- European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20230726_0000274
- Geonames.org: World Cities Database
- Google Maps: Static API
- Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database
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