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Latest earthquakes near Otaru, Hokkaido today
Complete overview of the latest earthquakes near Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan, updated every minute. Did you feel an earthquake today in Otaru? If an earthquake is happening right now near Otaru (also known as 小樽), it will show up within minutes.
Recent Otaru Earthquake News
These are the latest articles published related to earthquakes occurring near Otaru. Check our Earthquake News section for a complete overview of articles written on earthquakes near Otaru and elsewhere.
Dec 16, 2025 02:38PM
Shallow M5.1 Earthquake struck on Tuesday Afternoon in the North Pacific Ocean 135km from Hachinohe (Japan).
Dec 12, 2025 12:21PM
Significant M5.5 AFTERSHOCK struck on Friday Afternoon in the North Pacific Ocean 132km from Hachinohe (Japan).
Dec 12, 2025 11:44AM
Shallow M6.7 Earthquake struck on Friday Morning in the North Pacific Ocean 115km from Hachinohe (Japan).
Dec 12, 2025 07:09AM
Shallow M5.1 FORESHOCK struck on Friday Morning in the North Pacific Ocean 125km from Hachinohe (Japan).
Dec 10, 2025 11:52PM
On Wednesday Evening a Significant M5.7 AFTERSHOCK struck in the North Pacific Ocean 109km from Hachinohe (Japan).
Dec 9, 2025 06:09PM
Significant M5.1 AFTERSHOCK struck on Tuesday Evening in the North Pacific Ocean near Mutsu (Japan).
Otaru Earthquake Statistics
Average
A total of 938 earthquakes with a magnitude of four or above have struck within 300 km (186 mi) of Otaru, Hokkaido in the past 10 years. This comes down to a yearly average of 93 earthquakes per year, or 7 per month. On average an earthquake will hit near Otaru roughly every 3 days.
A relatively large number of earthquakes occurred near Otaru in 2018. A total of 143 earthquakes (mag 4+) were detected within 300 km of Otaru that year. The strongest had a 6.6 magnitude.
Magnitude Distribution
The table below visualizes the distribution of all earthquakes that occurred within 300km of Otaru in the past 10 years. No earthquakes with a magnitude of 8 or above have occurred near Otaru during this time. Usually, higher magnitudes are less common than lower magnitudes. Small earthquakes with a magnitude below 4 on the Richter scale have been omitted from this overview.
| Magnitude | Earthquakes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Mag. 4 | 850 | 90.62% |
| Mag. 5 | 79 | 8.42% |
| Mag. 6 | 8 | 0.85% |
| Mag. 7 | 1 | 0.11% |
| Mag. 8 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Mag. 9 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Mag. 10 | 0 | 0.0% |
Strongest earthquakes near Otaru
The strongest recent earthquake of the past 10 years near Otaru occurred on Dec 8, 2025 23:15 local time (Asia/Tokyo timezone). It had a magnitude of 7.6 and struck 262 kilometers (163 mi) south-southeast of Otaru, at a depth of 46 km. Discover more strong earthquakes near Otaru in the list below.
A longer time ago, a MAG-8.2 earthquake struck on Sep 26, 2003 04:50, 283 kilometers (176 mi) south-southeast of Otaru. It is the strongest earthquake near Otaru in the past 125 years (Our data goes back to January 1st, 1900).
In the table below you will find the strongest earthquakes that occurred near Otaru, Hokkaido in the past 10 years. You can use the tabs to find the heaviest historic earthquakes since the year 1900 or within a specific year or distance from Otaru.
Nearest earthquakes from Otaru
These are the earthquakes with their epicenter nearest to Otaru, Hokkaido. You can use the buttons to find nearby earthquakes for a specific year or with a specific magnitude.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions are commonly asked in relation to earthquakes occurring near Otaru.
When was the last earthquake in Otaru, Hokkaido?
A 3.7 magnitude earthquake hit near Otaru on the morning of December 17, 2025 at 07:28 local time (Asia/Tokyo). The center of this earthquake was located 281km south-southeast of Otaru at a depth of 60km under water in the North Pacific Ocean. Check the list on our website for any earthquakes occurring near Otaru, Hokkaido in the past hours.
What was the strongest earthquake near Otaru, Hokkaido?
A 8.2 magnitude earthquake hit near Otaru on the night of September 26, 2003 at 04:50 local time (Asia/Tokyo). The center of this earthquake was located 283km east-southeast of Otaru at a depth of 27km under water in the North Pacific Ocean. This is the strongest earthquake that occurred near Otaru since the year 1900.
How often do earthquakes occur near Otaru, Hokkaido?
In the past 10 years, 938 earthquakes with a magnitude of four or higher occurred within a 300 kilometer range from Otaru. This averages to 94 earthquakes yearly, or one earthquake every 4 days.
