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M5.1 Depth: 10.0 km

M5.1 Earthquake near OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN

UTC time: 2025-12-16 05:38:47 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.1 earthquake was recorded near OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN on December 16, 2025 at 05:38 UTC. The hypocenter lay relatively close to the surface at around 10 km, increasing how strongly it was felt. Earthquakes of this magnitude can damage poorly built structures.

The data is provided by EMSC and cross-checked across seismological networks.

Details

Magnitude
M5.1
Depth
10.0 km
UTC time
2025-12-16 05:38:47 UTC
Local time
—
Country
—
Source
emsc
Coordinates
40.95150, 143.07370
Temperature
7.1°C

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 10 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 10 km
Shallow
10 km
Why depth matters

Shallow quakes release energy near the surface — shaking is felt more strongly and damage potential is higher.

Depth classes per USGS

Nearby population centers

Distances are straight-line distances from the epicenter. Population data: GeoNames.

PlaceDistanceDirectionPopulation
Kuji139.1 kmSW34'418
Hachinohe141.8 kmW239'046
Sapporo274.9 kmNW1'973'832

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Osorezan
    Distance: 168 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 878 m ·Last eruption: 1787 ·Japan
  • Esan
    Distance: 185 km ·Lava dome(s) ·Elevation: 618 m ·Last eruption: 1874 ·Japan
  • Hakkodasan
    Distance: 188 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 1'585 m ·Last eruption: 1550 ·Japan
  • Towada
    Distance: 191 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: 1'011 m ·Last eruption: 915 ·Japan
  • Iwatesan
    Distance: 214 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 2'038 m ·Last eruption: 1919 ·Japan
  • Hachimantai
    Distance: 218 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'613 m ·Last eruption: -5350 ·Japan

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

Events recorded after this earthquake within 150 km. They are not automatically classified as aftershocks.

First 6 hours3
First 24 hours4
First 72 hours13
Strongest subsequent eventM6.1
M5.12025-12-16 05:38:48 UTC8.8 km130 km NE of Kuji, Japan M5.62025-12-16 05:38:48 UTC4.6 kmOff East Coast of Honshu, Japan M5.42025-12-16 05:38:48 UTC11.4 kmEvent of magnitude 5.4, near of Sapporo (Monde) M3.72025-12-16 22:28:30 UTC83.6 kmNEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN M5.12025-12-17 09:50:15 UTC76.4 kmEvent of magnitude 5.1, near of Sapporo (Monde) M5.02025-12-17 09:50:17 UTC68.6 kmHOKKAIDO, JAPAN REGION M5.02025-12-17 09:50:18 UTC68.1 km99 km SSW of Urakawa, Japan M5.02025-12-17 09:50:19 UTC61.7 kmHokkaido, Japan Region M4.82025-12-18 00:50:36 UTC134.7 kmOff East Coast of Honshu, Japan M4.72025-12-18 00:50:42 UTC121.3 km104 km ENE of Miyako, Japan M5.02025-12-18 00:50:46 UTC142.9 kmEvent of magnitude 5.0, near of Sendai (Monde) M4.92025-12-18 05:20:06 UTC124.7 kmOFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#92
Earlier events M≥4216
Earlier events M≥5117
Compared since2025-01-05

The QuakeMap24 comparison dataset begins on 2024-03-23. Earlier earthquakes may not be included.

Strongest earlier events

M7.72025-12-08 14:15:13 UTC75.2 km M7.62025-12-08 14:15:12 UTC78.3 kmHOKKAIDO, JAPAN REGION M7.62025-12-08 14:15:10 UTC78.9 km74 km ENE of Misawa, Japan M7.62025-12-08 14:15:09 UTC65.2 km84 km ENE of Misawa, Japan M7.52025-12-08 14:15:10 UTC76.1 kmHokkaido, Japan Region

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
650
Country (24h)
—
—
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