Written by on . Last updated February 15th, 2025.

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.
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

DISCLAIMER: We strongly suggest to closely monitor advice from local authorities with regards to tsunami risks. Our analysis is based on automatically collected data from external sources, and these might contain mistakes. In addition, earthquakes can cause landslides that may lead to a tsunami, or be a followed by another, potentially stonger, earthquake.

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.
Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.

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.

I Not felt
II Weak
III Weak
IV Light
V Moderate
VI Strong
VII Very Strong
VIII Severe
IX Violent
X Extreme
Earthquake Intensity Map based on Shakemap Data provided by USGS.

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.
Detected MAG2.5+ earthquakes within within 100km (62 mi), that occurred in the three days before and after the 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.

  1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us6000pjny
  2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20250113_0000131
  3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
  4. Google Maps: Static API
  5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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