M5.3 Depth: 10.0 km

M5.3 Earthquake near Kuril Islands (Russia)

UTC time: 2025-12-16 23:34:17 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.3 earthquake was recorded near Kuril Islands (Russia) on December 16, 2025 at 23:34 UTC. With a focal depth of about 10 km, this was a shallow earthquake, whose shaking is usually felt more strongly at the surface. Events of this size can cause damage near the epicenter.

The event was recorded by GFZ.

Details

Magnitude

M5.3

Depth

10.0 km

UTC time

2025-12-16 23:34:17 UTC

Local time

—

Country

Russia

City

Sahalinskaa oblast'

Source

gfz

Coordinates

45.44000, 148.99000

Temperature

-1.5°C

Map

Depth profile

Shallow

10 km

10 km — shallower than the regional average (50.5 km)

Regional average: 50.5 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

Nemuro359.2 kmSW31'223

Kitami442.6 kmW119'135

Sapporo662.9 kmW1'973'832

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Moyorodake [Medvezhia]

Distance: 13 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'124 m ·Last eruption: 1999 ·Japan - administered by Russia
Ivao Group

Distance: 64 km ·Pyroclastic cone(s) ·Elevation: 1'426 m ·Russia
Chirippusan [Chirip]

Distance: 84 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 1'587 m ·Last eruption: 1860 ·Japan - administered by Russia
Sashiusudake [Baransky]

Distance: 85 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'107 m ·Last eruption: 1951 ·Japan - administered by Russia
Odamoisan [Tebenkov]

Distance: 96 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'208 m ·Japan - administered by Russia
Etorofu-Yakeyama [Grozny Group]

Distance: 100 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 1'158 m ·Last eruption: 2013 ·Japan - administered by Russia

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

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

First 6 hours0

First 24 hours0

First 72 hours0

Strongest subsequent eventM6.3

M5.62025-12-21 03:48:15 UTC78.2 km M4.12025-12-25 06:22:23 UTC109.0 kmKURIL ISLANDS M4.92025-12-25 13:16:57 UTC120.2 kmKuril Islands M4.82025-12-25 13:17:00 UTC117.9 kmKURIL ISLANDS M4.82025-12-25 13:17:02 UTC126.6 km133 km SE of Kuril’sk, Russia M3.92025-12-25 16:11:21 UTC116.3 kmKURIL ISLANDS M6.32026-01-13 07:34:05 UTC85.7 kmKuril Islands M5.92026-01-13 07:34:06 UTC86.4 kmEvent of magnitude 5.9, near of Sapporo (Monde) M6.32026-01-13 07:34:07 UTC78.7 kmKURIL ISLANDS M6.32026-01-13 07:34:08 UTC120.1 kmKuril Islands M6.22026-01-13 07:34:09 UTC101.6 km133 km SE of Kuril’sk, Russia M6.32026-01-13 07:34:09 UTC94.8 kmConflict zone Japan/Russia [Sea]

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#2

Earlier events M≥456

Earlier events M≥510

Compared since2025-01-01

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

Strongest earlier events

M5.42025-07-06 09:40:42 UTC78.2 km M5.32025-10-07 02:58:36 UTC33.8 kmEvent of magnitude 5.3, near of Asahikawa (Monde) M5.22025-07-30 07:23:21 UTC100.1 km128 km SE of Kuril’sk, Russia M5.22025-07-30 07:23:16 UTC88.0 kmKuril Islands M5.22025-07-30 07:23:16 UTC87.0 kmKURIL ISLANDS

Historic earthquake map · Russia

Open history map

Explore recent and long-term earthquake activity in this country. Use filters to narrow down by magnitude, depth, and date range.

Country statistics · Russia

Country overview

View earthquake KPIs, strongest and latest events, and averages for this country.

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)

512

Country (24h)