M5.9 Depth: 25.0 km

M5.9 Earthquake near 7 km N of Metahāra, Ethiopia

UTC time: 2025-02-14 20:28:25 UTC Local time:

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.9 earthquake was recorded near 7 km N of Metahāra, Ethiopia on February 14, 2025 at 20:28 UTC. The hypocenter lay relatively close to the surface at around 25 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
M5.9
Depth
25.0 km
UTC time
2025-02-14 20:28:25 UTC
Local time
Country
Source
usgs
Coordinates
8.96390, 39.90950

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 25 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 25 km
Shallow
25 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
Metehara7.1 kmS23'403
Nazrēt84.3 kmSW456'900
Addis Ababa127.9 kmW3'860'000

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Fentale
    Distance: 2 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 2'007 m ·Last eruption: 1789 ·Ethiopia
  • Beru
    Distance: 18 km ·Volcanic field ·Elevation: 1'100 m ·Ethiopia
  • Kone
    Distance: 29 km ·Caldera(s) ·Elevation: 1'380 m ·Last eruption: 1820 ·Ethiopia
  • Dofen
    Distance: 49 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'151 m ·Ethiopia
  • Boset
    Distance: 66 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 2'447 m ·Ethiopia
  • Liado Hayk
    Distance: 79 km ·Volcanic field ·Elevation: 878 m ·Ethiopia

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

Events recorded after this earthquake within 150 km. They are not automatically classified as aftershocks.

First 6 hours0
First 24 hours0
First 72 hours0
Strongest subsequent eventM5.4

Comparison of seismic sources

2 sources currently report magnitudes from M5.7 to M5.9.

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

SourceMagnitudeDepthPosition difference
USPM5.710.0 km6.7 km
USGSM5.925.0 km0.0 km

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#1
Earlier events M≥4219
Earlier events M≥513
Compared since2025-01-01

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

Strongest earlier events

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
663
Country (24h)
Current earthquakes in
Magnitude Place Local time
No recent events available.

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