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M6.5 Depth: 36.0 km

M6.5 Earthquake near Hokkaido, Japan Region

UTC time: 2025-12-08 21:52:45 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

A magnitude M6.5 earthquake was recorded near Hokkaido, Japan Region on December 8, 2025 at 21:52 UTC. With a focal depth of about 36 km, this was a shallow earthquake, whose shaking is usually felt more strongly at the surface. Earthquakes of this magnitude can cause significant damage in populated areas.

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

Details

Magnitude
M6.5
Depth
36.0 km
UTC time
2025-12-08 21:52:45 UTC
Local time
—
Country
—
Source
gfz
Coordinates
41.03000, 143.05000
Temperature
4.8°C

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 36 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 36 km
Shallow
36 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
Hitokawame142.0 kmW24'273
Hachinohe143.2 kmSW239'046
Sapporo266.4 kmNW1'973'832

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Osorezan
    Distance: 164 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 878 m ·Last eruption: 1787 ·Japan
  • Esan
    Distance: 179 km ·Lava dome(s) ·Elevation: 618 m ·Last eruption: 1874 ·Japan
  • Hakkodasan
    Distance: 187 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 1'585 m ·Last eruption: 1550 ·Japan
  • Towada
    Distance: 192 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: 1'011 m ·Last eruption: 915 ·Japan
  • Iwatesan
    Distance: 217 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 2'038 m ·Last eruption: 1919 ·Japan
  • Hachimantai
    Distance: 221 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'613 m ·Last eruption: -5350 ·Japan

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

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

First 6 hours9
First 24 hours20
First 72 hours41
Strongest subsequent eventM6.7
M5.32025-12-08 22:07:14 UTC15.7 kmEvent of magnitude 5.3, near of Sapporo (Monde) M5.12025-12-08 22:07:17 UTC0.3 km122 km S of Honchō, Japan M5.12025-12-08 22:07:19 UTC5.1 kmHokkaido, Japan Region M5.32025-12-08 23:59:02 UTC28.6 kmNear East Coast of Honshu, Japan M5.42025-12-08 23:59:03 UTC31.0 kmEvent of magnitude 5.4, near of Akita (Monde) M5.62025-12-08 23:59:07 UTC25.1 kmNear East Coast of Honshu, Japan M5.42025-12-08 23:59:17 UTC209.5 km M4.82025-12-09 00:18:29 UTC90.2 kmHokkaido, Japan Region M4.52025-12-09 00:18:30 UTC65.6 kmHOKKAIDO, JAPAN REGION M4.02025-12-09 04:47:30 UTC42.2 kmHOKKAIDO, JAPAN REGION M4.92025-12-09 05:15:48 UTC58.3 kmHokkaido, Japan Region M4.62025-12-09 05:15:49 UTC50.2 kmHOKKAIDO, JAPAN REGION

Comparison of seismic sources

2 sources currently report magnitudes from M6.5 to M7.0.

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

SourceMagnitudeDepthPosition difference
NNSNM7.019.0 km10.3 km
GFZM6.536.0 km0.0 km

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 250 km.

Magnitude rank#19
Earlier events M≥4397
Earlier events M≥5207
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 UTC73.1 km M7.62025-12-08 14:15:12 UTC75.7 kmHOKKAIDO, JAPAN REGION M7.62025-12-08 14:15:10 UTC76.3 km74 km ENE of Misawa, Japan M7.62025-12-08 14:15:09 UTC63.0 km84 km ENE of Misawa, Japan M7.52025-12-08 14:15:10 UTC73.9 kmHokkaido, Japan Region

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
655
Country (24h)
—
—
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