M6.0 Depth: 42.0 km

M6.0 Earthquake near Near East Coast of Honshu, Japan

UTC time: 2025-12-31 14:27:00 UTC Local time:

About this earthquake

On December 31, 2025 at 14:27 UTC, a magnitude M6.0 earthquake occurred near Near East Coast of Honshu, Japan. The hypocenter lay relatively close to the surface at around 42 km, increasing how strongly it was felt. Events of this size are considered strong and can be dangerous in inhabited regions.

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

Details

Magnitude
M6.0
Depth
42.0 km
UTC time
2025-12-31 14:27:00 UTC
Local time
Country
Source
gfz
Coordinates
40.08000, 142.78000
Temperature
1.5°C

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 42 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 42 km
Shallow
42 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
Miyako86.3 kmSW51'150
Hachinohe118.2 kmNW239'046
Sendai260.5 kmSW1'096'704

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Iwatesan
    Distance: 154 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 2'038 m ·Last eruption: 1919 ·Japan
  • Hachimantai
    Distance: 165 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'613 m ·Last eruption: -5350 ·Japan
  • Towada
    Distance: 168 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: 1'011 m ·Last eruption: 915 ·Japan
  • Akita-Komagatake
    Distance: 173 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 1'637 m ·Last eruption: 1971 ·Japan
  • Akita-Yakeyama
    Distance: 173 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'366 m ·Last eruption: 1997 ·Japan
  • Hakkodasan
    Distance: 174 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 1'585 m ·Last eruption: 1550 ·Japan

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

Events recorded after this earthquake within 250 km. They are not automatically classified as aftershocks.

First 6 hours5
First 24 hours6
First 72 hours6
Strongest subsequent eventM5.5

Comparison of seismic sources

2 sources currently report magnitudes from M5.8 to M6.0.

Measurements can differ because agencies use different networks and calculation methods. Values may be revised.

SourceMagnitudeDepthPosition difference
USPM5.810.0 km6.6 km
GFZM6.042.0 km0.0 km

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 250 km.

Magnitude rank#36
Earlier events M≥4490
Earlier events M≥5268
Compared since2025-01-05

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

Strongest earlier events

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
656
Country (24h)
Current earthquakes in
Magnitude Place Local time
No recent events available.

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