In the evening of Monday January 13th, 2025, a strong MAG-6.8 earthquake hit in the Philippine Sea 13 kilometer from Miyazaki, Japan. The USGS has indicated there is a potential risk at tsunami's following this earthquake.
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Earthquake Summary
This earthquake hit under water in the Philippine Sea, right off the coast of Japan (4 mi offshore), 13 kilometer east-southeast of Miyazaki. The center of this earthquake had a quite shallow depth of 39 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.
Date and Time: | Jan 13, 2025 21:19 (Tokyo Time) - Jan 13, 2025 12:19 Universal Time. |
---|---|
Location: | 13 km ESE of Miyazaki, Japan. Coordinates 31°51'9"N 131°31'48"E. |
Map: | ![]() Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps. |
Magnitude: | MAG 6.8 Detected by 11 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.033 . |
Depth: | 39 km (24 mi) A quite shallow depth. |
Max. Intensity: | VII
Very Strong On the Modified Mercalli Scale. |
Tsunami Risk: | Potential tsunami risk The USGS has indicated there is a potential risk at tsunami's following this earthquake. Always stay cautious - More info here. |
Potential tsunami risk
There is a potential tsunami risk in the aftermath of this earthquake, immediately evacuate to higher grounds away from coastal areas and monitor advice from local authorities. The US Geographic Survey organization has indicated a potential risk for tsunami's following this earthquake.
Tsunami Risk Factors
Factor | Under Sea? | MAG-6.5 or stronger? | Shallow depth? |
---|---|---|---|
Explanation | Almost all tsunami's are caused by earthquakes with their epicenter under sea or very near the sea. However stay cautious in coastal areas as earthquakes on land may cause landslides into sea, potentially still causing a local tsunami. | Under MAG 6.5: Very unlikely to cause a tsunami. MAG 6.5 to 7.5: Destructive tsunami's do occur, but are uncommon. Likely to observe small sea level changes. MAG 7.6+: Earthquakes with these magnitudes might produce destructive tsunami's. |
Most destructive tsunami's are caused by shallow earthquakes with a depth between 0 and 100km under the surface of the earth. Deeper tsunami's are unlikely to displace to ocean floor. |
This Earthquake | This earthquake appears to have struck under the sea. | This earthquake had a magnitude of 6.8. Earthquakes of this strength could trigger a tsunami. | This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 39 km (24 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami. |
Minimal impact predicted
The US Geographic Survey (USGS) describes the impact of this earthquake as follows:
One person injured in Kagoshima, 2 injured in Miyazaki and one injured in Oita. Two buildings, water pipes and roads damaged in Miyazaki. A tsunami with the following wave heights was observed: 20 cm tsunami in Miyazaki and 10 cm in Kochi.
Based on scientific estimates by the USGS, the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 96% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 10.
The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 100% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact.
Roughly 11 million people exposed to shaking
This earthquake may have been felt by around 11 million people. That is the expected population size of the area exposed to a level of shaking of II or higher on the Modified Mercalli scale according to the USGS.
An estimated 635,100 people were exposed to level VI. At this level, strong shaking and probably light damage can be expected. The majority of people (roughly 8 million) live in an area exposed to level IV, where light shaking and likely no damage is expected. All exposure to shaking was within the borders of Japan .
People | MMI Level | Shaking | Damage |
---|---|---|---|
0 | I |
Not noticable | None |
0 | II |
Very weak | None |
421,800 | III |
Weak | Probably none |
8,066,000 | IV |
Light | Likely none |
2,062,000 | V |
Moderate | Very light |
635,100 | VI |
Strong | Light |
0 | VII |
Very Strong | Moderate |
0 | VIII |
Severe | Moderate to heavy |
0 | IX |
Violent | Heavy |
0 | X |
Extreme | Very heavy |
Nearby towns and cities
This earthquake may have been felt in Japan . Located 13 kilometer (8 mi) east-southeast of the epicenter of this earthquake, Miyazaki (Miyazaki, Japan) is the nearest significant population center. The intensity of shaking and damage in Miyazaki is estimated to be around level VI on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (strong shaking, probably light damage).
Major cities near this earthquake: Miyazaki is located 13 km to the west-northwest and experienced an intensity of VI (strong shaking, probably light damage). Busan is located 429 km to the north-northwest (intensity unknown, possibly low). Fukuoka is located 220 km to the north-northwest and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage).
An overview of nearby towns and cities is available in the overview below. If places don't have intensity data available, it likely means the experienced impact in those places was fairly small.
Overview of nearby places
Distance | Place | Intensity (MMI) |
---|---|---|
13 km (8 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Miyazaki Miyazaki, Japan. |
VI
Strong |
30 km (19 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Tsuma Miyazaki, Japan. |
VI
Strong |
31 km (19 mi) N from epicenter |
Takanabe Miyazaki, Japan. |
VI
Strong |
32 km (20 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Nichinan Miyazaki, Japan. |
V
Moderate |
37 km (23 mi) N from epicenter |
Kawaminami Miyazaki, Japan. |
VI
Strong |
46 km (29 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Miyakonojō Miyazaki, Japan. |
VI
Strong |
49 km (30 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Kushima Miyazaki, Japan. |
VI
Strong |
54 km (34 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Kobayashi Miyazaki, Japan. |
V
Moderate |
54 km (34 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Sueyoshichō-ninokata Kagoshima, Japan. |
VI
Strong |
58 km (36 mi) SW from epicenter |
Shibushi Kagoshima, Japan. |
V
Moderate |
70 km (43 mi) N from epicenter |
Kadogawa Miyazaki, Japan. |
V
Moderate |
73 km (45 mi) W from epicenter |
Kokubu-matsuki Kagoshima, Japan. |
V
Moderate |
77 km (48 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Hamanoichi Kagoshima, Japan. |
V
Moderate |
82 km (51 mi) N from epicenter |
Nobeoka Miyazaki, Japan. |
IV
Light |
83 km (52 mi) SW from epicenter |
Kanoya Kagoshima, Japan. |
V
Moderate |
83 km (52 mi) W from epicenter |
Kajiki Kagoshima, Japan. |
V
Moderate |
84 km (52 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Hitoyoshi Kumamoto, Japan. |
V
Moderate |
89 km (55 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Ōkuchi-shinohara Kagoshima, Japan. |
V
Moderate |
89 km (55 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Tarumizu Kagoshima, Japan. |
V
Moderate |
98 km (61 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Kagoshima Kagoshima, Japan. |
V
Moderate |
108 km (67 mi) SW from epicenter |
Ibusuki Kagoshima, Japan. |
V
Moderate |
110 km (68 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Ijūin Kagoshima, Japan. |
IV
Light |
113 km (70 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Izumi Kagoshima, Japan. |
IV
Light |
114 km (71 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Minamata Kumamoto, Japan. |
IV
Light |
114 km (71 mi) NW from epicenter |
Honmachi Kumamoto, Japan. |
V
Moderate |
116 km (72 mi) W from epicenter |
Satsumasendai Kagoshima, Japan. |
V
Moderate |
123 km (76 mi) NW from epicenter |
Uto Kumamoto, Japan. |
V
Moderate |
125 km (78 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Kaseda-shirakame Kagoshima, Japan. |
V
Moderate |
127 km (79 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Saiki Ōita, Japan. |
V
Moderate |
130 km (81 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Ōzu Kumamoto, Japan. |
IV
Light |
132 km (82 mi) NW from epicenter |
Kumamoto Kumamoto, Japan. |
IV
Light |
145 km (90 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Hondomachi-hondo Kumamoto, Japan. |
IV
Light |
151 km (94 mi) NW from epicenter |
Tamana Kumamoto, Japan. |
IV
Light |
154 km (96 mi) N from epicenter |
Ōita Ōita, Japan. |
V
Moderate |
156 km (97 mi) N from epicenter |
Tsurusaki Ōita, Japan. |
IV
Light |
159 km (99 mi) N from epicenter |
Beppu Ōita, Japan. |
IV
Light |
166 km (103 mi) NW from epicenter |
Ōmuta Fukuoka, Japan. |
IV
Light |
172 km (107 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Hita Ōita, Japan. |
IV
Light |
178 km (111 mi) NW from epicenter |
Isahaya Nagasaki, Japan. |
IV
Light |
180 km (112 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Uwajima Ehime, Japan. |
IV
Light |
184 km (114 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Nagasaki Nagasaki, Japan. |
IV
Light |
188 km (117 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Kurume Fukuoka, Japan. |
IV
Light |
190 km (118 mi) NW from epicenter |
Ōmura Nagasaki, Japan. |
IV
Light |
192 km (119 mi) NW from epicenter |
Saga Saga, Japan. |
IV
Light |
220 km (137 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Fukuoka Fukuoka, Japan. |
IV
Light |
224 km (139 mi) NW from epicenter |
Sasebo Nagasaki, Japan. |
IV
Light |
231 km (144 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Kitakyushu Fukuoka, Japan. |
|
239 km (149 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Shimonoseki Yamaguchi, Japan. |
|
249 km (155 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Matsuyama Ehime, Japan. |
|
266 km (165 mi) NE from epicenter |
Kochi Kōchi, Japan. |
IV
Light |
296 km (184 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Hiroshima Hirochima, Japan. |
|
362 km (225 mi) NE from epicenter |
Takamatsu Kagawa, Japan. |
|
375 km (233 mi) NE from epicenter |
Tokushima Tokushima, Japan. |
|
383 km (238 mi) NE from epicenter |
Okayama Okayama, Japan. |
|
428 km (266 mi) NE from epicenter |
Minato Wakayama, Japan. |
|
428 km (266 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Matsue Shimane, Japan. |
|
429 km (267 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Busan 부산광역시, South Korea. |
|
432 km (268 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Yonago Tottori, Japan. |
|
449 km (279 mi) NW from epicenter |
Kimhae 경상남도, South Korea. |
|
458 km (285 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Ulsan Ulsan, South Korea. |
|
464 km (288 mi) NE from epicenter |
Kobe Hyōgo, Japan. |
|
483 km (300 mi) NW from epicenter |
Yeosu 전라남도, South Korea. |
|
486 km (302 mi) NE from epicenter |
Osaka Ōsaka, Japan. |
|
491 km (305 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Seogwipo Jeju-do, South Korea. |
|
493 km (306 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Gyeongju Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. |
|
495 km (308 mi) NE from epicenter |
Kashihara-shi Nara, Japan. |
Earthquake Intensity Map
The graph below overlays a map of the region around the epicenter with earthquake intensity data provided by the US Geographic Survey. The highest intensity level detected for this earthquake is VI.

Shaking reported by 35 people in 2 countries
People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 35 people have reported shaking in 25 places in 2 countries (Japan, Korea (South)).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.
Places with most reports:
- Kagoshima, Kagoshima, Japan: 5 people.
- Iwakuni, Yamaguchi, Japan: 3 people.
- Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan: 3 people.
- Beppu, Ōita, Japan: 2 people.
- Tokyo, Tokio, Japan: 2 people.
- Imabari, Ehime, Japan: 1 person.
- Hikawa, Shimane, Japan: 1 person.
- Ōsaka, Ōsaka, Japan: 1 person.
- Saiki, Ōita, Japan: 1 person.
- Yonago, Tottori, Japan: 1 person.
11 Aftershocks detected
Since this main shock, 11 smaller aftershocks were detected. Just 1 day after this main shock, an earthquake measuring MAG-5.3 was detected 31 km (19 mi) east-southeast of this earthquake.
Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks
Classification | Magnitude | When | Where |
---|---|---|---|
Main Shock This Earthquake |
M 6.8 |
Jan 13, 2025 21:19 (Tokyo Time) | - |
Aftershock | M 4.1 |
10 mins later Jan 13, 2025 21:29 (Tokyo Time) | 45 km (28 mi) E from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 3.9 |
16 mins later Jan 13, 2025 21:35 (Tokyo Time) | 35 km (22 mi) E from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.4 |
23 mins later Jan 13, 2025 21:42 (Tokyo Time) | 27 km (16 mi) ESE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.3 |
2 hrs later Jan 13, 2025 23:17 (Tokyo Time) | 7 km (4 mi) NNE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 5.2 |
4 hrs later Jan 14, 2025 01:14 (Tokyo Time) | 25 km (16 mi) NE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.4 |
4 hrs later Jan 14, 2025 01:22 (Tokyo Time) | 14 km (9 mi) SE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.3 |
12 hrs later Jan 14, 2025 08:55 (Tokyo Time) | 33 km (21 mi) E from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.2 |
14 hrs later Jan 14, 2025 10:56 (Tokyo Time) | 31 km (19 mi) NE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.2 |
15 hrs later Jan 14, 2025 11:50 (Tokyo Time) | 44 km (27 mi) E from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 5.3 |
1 day later Jan 15, 2025 02:12 (Tokyo Time) | 31 km (19 mi) ESE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 3.9 |
1 day later Jan 15, 2025 02:55 (Tokyo Time) | 26 km (16 mi) ESE from Main Shock. |
More earthquakes coming?
Earthquakes can create aftershocks. These are generally at least 1 magnitude lower than any main shock, and as time passes the chance and strength of aftershocks decreases.
It's always adviced to be cautious of the risk of a larger shock following any significant earthquake, however this risk is fairly small. There is a roughly 94 percent change that no larger main shock will follow in the days following this earthquake.
Read: How to Stay Safe during an Earthquake (cdc.gov).This is an unusually powerful earthquake
Earthquakes of this strength are not so common in the region, but it's not the first time. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since August 8th, 2024, when a 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit 11 km (7 mi) further south-southwest. That was also the heaviest earthquake to hit the region in the past 10 years.
In total, 2 earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.8 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 5 years.
Sources
Last updated 15/02/25 16:48 (). This article is automatically generated based on available data. We keep checking multiple sources for additional information. This article gets updated as new details on this earthquake become available.