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M5.9 Depth: 35.0 km

M5.9 Earthquake near HOKKAIDO, JAPAN REGION

UTC time: 2025-12-08 18:56:30 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.9 earthquake was recorded near HOKKAIDO, JAPAN REGION on December 8, 2025 at 18:56 UTC. The hypocenter lay relatively close to the surface at around 35 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
M5.9
Depth
35.0 km
UTC time
2025-12-08 18:56:30 UTC
Local time
—
Country
—
Source
emsc
Coordinates
41.05930, 142.99000
Temperature
4.7°C

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 35 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 35 km
Shallow
35 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
Hitokawame138.2 kmW24'273
Hachinohe140.0 kmSW239'046
Sapporo261.0 kmNW1'973'832

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Osorezan
    Distance: 158 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 878 m ·Last eruption: 1787 ·Japan
  • Esan
    Distance: 173 km ·Lava dome(s) ·Elevation: 618 m ·Last eruption: 1874 ·Japan
  • Hakkodasan
    Distance: 183 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 1'585 m ·Last eruption: 1550 ·Japan
  • Towada
    Distance: 188 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: 1'011 m ·Last eruption: 915 ·Japan
  • Iwatesan
    Distance: 215 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 hours13
First 24 hours23
First 72 hours42
Strongest subsequent eventM6.8
M6.62025-12-08 21:52:40 UTC10.9 km125 km S of Honchō, Japan M6.72025-12-08 21:52:40 UTC41.4 kmOff east coast of Honshu, Japan [Sea: Japan] M6.52025-12-08 21:52:42 UTC5.0 kmEvent of magnitude 6.5, near of Sapporo (Monde) M6.72025-12-08 21:52:42 UTC8.0 km M6.52025-12-08 21:52:45 UTC6.0 kmHokkaido, Japan Region M5.32025-12-08 22:07:14 UTC20.6 kmEvent of magnitude 5.3, near of Sapporo (Monde) M5.12025-12-08 22:07:17 UTC6.1 km122 km S of Honchō, Japan M5.12025-12-08 22:07:19 UTC2.8 kmHokkaido, Japan Region M5.42025-12-08 23:59:03 UTC29.1 kmEvent of magnitude 5.4, near of Akita (Monde) M5.62025-12-08 23:59:07 UTC34.0 km107 km NE of Kuji, Japan M5.62025-12-08 23:59:07 UTC24.5 kmNear East Coast of Honshu, Japan M4.82025-12-09 00:18:29 UTC84.2 kmHokkaido, Japan Region

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#8
Earlier events M≥4119
Earlier events M≥554
Compared since2025-01-05

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

Strongest earlier events

M7.62025-12-08 14:15:12 UTC70.7 km M7.62025-12-08 14:15:10 UTC71.2 km74 km ENE of Misawa, Japan M7.62025-12-08 14:15:09 UTC58.3 km84 km ENE of Misawa, Japan M7.52025-12-08 14:15:10 UTC69.0 kmHokkaido, Japan Region M7.42025-12-08 14:15:11 UTC49.3 kmNear east coast of eastern Honshu, Japan [Sea: Japan]

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
654
Country (24h)
—
—
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