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

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: 617 m ·Last eruption: 1874 ·Japan
Hakkodasan

Distance: 183 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 1'584 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 hours24

First 72 hours43

Strongest subsequent eventM7.0

M6.12025-12-08 21:52:38 UTC58.6 kmOff East Coast of Honshu, Japan M7.02025-12-08 21:52:39 UTC16.3 km M6.62025-12-08 21:52:40 UTC10.9 km125 km S of Honchō, 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 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 M5.32025-12-08 23:59:02 UTC30.6 kmNear East Coast of Honshu, Japan 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 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#11

Earlier events M≥4130

Earlier events M≥565

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 UTC68.3 km M7.62025-12-08 14:15:12 UTC70.7 kmHOKKAIDO, JAPAN REGION 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

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)

903

Country (24h)

—

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