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M5.4 Depth: 10.0 km

M5.4 Earthquake near 52 km NNW of Āwash, Ethiopia

UTC time: 2025-03-16 18:53:09 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.4 earthquake was recorded near 52 km NNW of Āwash, Ethiopia on March 16, 2025 at 18:53 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 USGS and cross-checked across seismological networks.

Details

Magnitude
M5.4
Depth
10.0 km
UTC time
2025-03-16 18:53:09 UTC
Local time
—
Country
—
Source
usgs
Coordinates
9.44560, 40.04300

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
Āwash52.0 kmS36'500
Debre Berhan61.7 kmNW146'900
Addis Ababa149.7 kmW3'860'000

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Dofen
    Distance: 14 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'151 m ·Ethiopia
  • Liado Hayk
    Distance: 29 km ·Volcanic field ·Elevation: 878 m ·Ethiopia
  • Hertali
    Distance: 49 km ·Fissure vent ·Elevation: 900 m ·Ethiopia
  • Fentale
    Distance: 53 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 2'007 m ·Last eruption: 1789 ·Ethiopia
  • Beru
    Distance: 64 km ·Volcanic field ·Elevation: 1'100 m ·Ethiopia
  • Kone
    Distance: 80 km ·Caldera(s) ·Elevation: 1'380 m ·Last eruption: 1820 ·Ethiopia

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#4
Earlier events M≥4227
Earlier events M≥515
Compared since2025-01-01

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

Strongest earlier events

M5.92025-02-14 20:28:25 UTC55.5 km7 km N of Metahāra, Ethiopia M5.72025-01-04 00:52:21 UTC8.8 km52 km N of Āwash, Ethiopia M5.52025-01-03 17:01:46 UTC34.6 km45 km NNE of Āwash, Ethiopia M5.42025-01-02 21:18:26 UTC25.6 kmZone 3 M5.32025-02-23 23:44:50 UTC49.5 km58 km NW of Āsbe Teferī, Ethiopia

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
642
Country (24h)
—
—
Current earthquakes in
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No recent events available.

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