M5.2 Earthquake near Northern Molucca Sea

UTC time: 2025-12-21 12:21:48 UTC Local time: —

Archive record · original publication time was not recorded

Automatically generated from measurement data by QuakeMap24. Values may change after further analysis. How our reports are produced ↗

Magnitude

M5.2

Depth: 76.6 km
Source: USP

Northern Molucca Sea

Map

About this earthquake

On December 21, 2025 at 12:21 UTC, a magnitude M5.2 earthquake occurred near Northern Molucca Sea. The earthquake originated at an intermediate depth of about 77 km. Events of this size can cause damage near the epicenter.

The event was recorded by USP.

Details

ca1d502d657d628aeb6b02786b34cbc65c0cf792

Magnitude

M5.2

Depth

76.6 km

UTC time

2025-12-21 12:21:48 UTC

Local time

—

Country

—

Source

usp

Coordinates

1.26491, 126.47620

Depth profile

Intermediate

76.6 km

Why depth matters

Intermediate-depth quakes are felt across a wider area but usually cause less surface damage.

Depth classes per USGS

Nearby population centers

Distances are straight-line distances from the epicenter. Population data: GeoNames.

PlaceDistanceDirectionPopulation

Ternate113.9 kmSE210'836

General Santos558.1 kmN722'059

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Hiri

Distance: 102 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 687 m ·Indonesia
Gamalama

Distance: 108 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 1'714 m ·Last eruption: 2018 ·Indonesia
Todoko-Ranu

Distance: 109 km ·Caldera(s) ·Elevation: 979 m ·Indonesia
Jailolo

Distance: 109 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 993 m ·Indonesia
Gamkonora

Distance: 118 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'635 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·Indonesia
Kie Matubu

Distance: 123 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'713 m ·Last eruption: 1210 ·Indonesia

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

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

First 6 hours1

First 24 hours4

First 72 hours7

Strongest subsequent eventM5.7

M3.02025-12-21 12:38:42 UTC21.4 kmMOLUCCA SEA M3.22025-12-22 03:51:24 UTC91.7 kmHALMAHERA, INDONESIA M3.12025-12-22 04:36:14 UTC105.6 kmHALMAHERA, INDONESIA M3.42025-12-22 10:05:15 UTC27.1 kmMOLUCCA SEA M4.12025-12-22 18:48:16 UTC70.6 kmMOLUCCA SEA M2.72025-12-22 20:15:16 UTC106.8 kmHALMAHERA, INDONESIA M3.02025-12-23 05:35:00 UTC59.1 kmMOLUCCA SEA M3.42025-12-25 08:50:51 UTC135.7 kmMOLUCCA SEA M2.62025-12-25 20:48:37 UTC53.6 kmMOLUCCA SEA M3.82025-12-26 05:07:08 UTC140.9 kmMOLUCCA SEA M3.12025-12-26 09:30:57 UTC107.0 kmMOLUCCA SEA M2.72025-12-26 10:23:28 UTC61.5 kmMOLUCCA SEA

Comparison of seismic sources

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

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

SourceMagnitudeDepthPosition difference

NNSNM5.754.9 km30.6 km

USPM5.276.6 km0.0 km

Maluku Utara

Context for this earthquake

08 Sep 2025 – 08 Sep 2026 · M ≥ 3.0 · 836 Catalogue entries

Sufficiently reliable matching data are not currently available for a direct comparison. The area profile shows the available records and their limitations.

Open seismic profile

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#27

Earlier events M≥4186

Earlier events M≥554

Compared since2025-01-02

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

Strongest earlier events

M6.22025-04-02 21:03:37 UTC99.8 km145 km WNW of Tobelo, Indonesia M6.12025-07-25 21:30:00 UTC99.5 kmNorthern Molucca Sea M6.02025-07-25 21:29:55 UTC102.6 km126 km WNW of Tobelo, Indonesia M6.02025-02-05 03:12:28 UTC80.8 kmNorth Maluku M5.92025-04-02 21:03:42 UTC88.3 kmNorth Maluku

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)

503

Country (24h)

—

Current earthquakes in

Magnitude Place Local time

No recent events available.