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M6.8 Depth: 40.0 km

M6.8 Earthquake near Near East Coast of Honshu, Japan

UTC time: 2025-12-12 02:44:16 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

On December 12, 2025 at 02:44 UTC, a magnitude M6.8 earthquake occurred near Near East Coast of Honshu, Japan. The hypocenter lay relatively close to the surface at around 40 km, increasing how strongly it was felt. 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
M6.8
Depth
40.0 km
UTC time
2025-12-12 02:44:16 UTC
Local time
—
Country
—
Source
gfz
Coordinates
40.89000, 142.81000
Temperature
1.0°C

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 40 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 40 km
Shallow
40 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
Kuji117.6 kmSW34'418
Hachinohe118.6 kmW239'046
Sapporo270.4 kmNW1'973'832

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Osorezan
    Distance: 148 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 878 m ·Last eruption: 1787 ·Japan
  • Hakkodasan
    Distance: 165 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 1'585 m ·Last eruption: 1550 ·Japan
  • Towada
    Distance: 168 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: 1'011 m ·Last eruption: 915 ·Japan
  • Esan
    Distance: 171 km ·Lava dome(s) ·Elevation: 618 m ·Last eruption: 1874 ·Japan
  • Iwatesan
    Distance: 192 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 2'038 m ·Last eruption: 1919 ·Japan
  • Hachimantai
    Distance: 195 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 hours11
First 72 hours24
Strongest subsequent eventM6.1
M5.62025-12-12 03:21:36 UTC19.4 kmEvent of magnitude 5.6, near of Sapporo (Monde) M5.72025-12-12 03:21:36 UTC7.8 kmNear East Coast of Honshu, Japan M5.52025-12-12 03:21:41 UTC17.1 km122 km S of Honchō, Japan M4.72025-12-12 04:58:19 UTC17.4 kmNEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN M4.02025-12-12 07:05:30 UTC27.3 kmHOKKAIDO, JAPAN REGION M4.62025-12-12 07:55:42 UTC47.9 kmHOKKAIDO, JAPAN REGION M4.82025-12-12 07:55:42 UTC48.2 kmHokkaido, Japan Region M5.22025-12-12 07:55:43 UTC45.5 kmHokkaido region M4.62025-12-12 07:55:44 UTC57.8 km91 km ENE of Yokohama, Japan M4.02025-12-12 10:14:30 UTC20.1 kmHOKKAIDO, JAPAN REGION M3.62025-12-12 16:19:30 UTC59.7 kmNEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN M4.72025-12-13 05:59:43 UTC39.4 kmNear East Coast of Honshu, Japan

Comparison of seismic sources

3 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
USPM6.514.6 km34.0 km
NNSNM7.019.0 km6.8 km
GFZM6.840.0 km0.0 km

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 250 km.

Magnitude rank#10
Earlier events M≥4452
Earlier events M≥5243
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 UTC54.2 km M7.62025-12-08 14:15:12 UTC57.9 kmHOKKAIDO, JAPAN REGION M7.62025-12-08 14:15:10 UTC58.7 km74 km ENE of Misawa, Japan M7.62025-12-08 14:15:09 UTC44.5 km84 km ENE of Misawa, Japan M7.52025-12-08 14:15:10 UTC55.4 kmHokkaido, Japan Region

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
653
Country (24h)
—
—
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