KOSH-AGACH, RUSSIA – A light earthquake struck the Altai Republic of southern Russia early Wednesday, shaking rural communities near the borders of Mongolia and Kazakhstan. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the 4.2-magnitude quake hit about 28 kilometers west of Kosh-Agach at a depth of 10 kilometers.
According to the USGS National Earthquake Information Center, the tremor occurred at 11:20 a.m. UTC and was centered in a sparsely populated mountainous region known for moderate seismic activity. No damage or injuries have been reported, and no felt reports have yet been logged on the USGS citizen science platform.
The Altai Mountains, which mark a collision zone between the Eurasian and Mongolian tectonic plates, occasionally experience low- to moderate-intensity quakes. Wednesday’s event was strong enough to be felt locally but not likely to cause structural damage.
Authorities in nearby Kosh-Agach and cross-border regions are monitoring for aftershocks, though none have been detected as of Wednesday afternoon.
Seismic experts say residents should remain aware of potential minor aftershocks in the coming days, especially in older structures built before modern earthquake standards.
