In the morning of Sunday January 26th, 2025, a shallow and significant MAG-5.2 earthquake hit under land 2 kilometer from Yujing in Taiwan. The earthquake struck near a very densely populated region. Roughly 17 million people may have felt this earthquake. Another nearby country is China.
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Earthquake Summary
The earthquake struck on land in Taiwan, 2 kilometer (1 mi) southwest of Yujing in Tainan City. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 10 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.
Date and Time: | Jan 26, 2025 07:38 (Taipei Time) - Jan 25, 2025 23:38 Universal Time. |
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Location: | 2 km SW of Yujing, Tainan City, Taiwan. Coordinates 23°6'28"N 120°26'51"E. |
Map: | ![]() Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps. |
Magnitude: | MAG 5.2 Detected by 35 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.052 . |
Depth: | 10 km (6 mi) A very shallow depth. |
Max. Intensity: | VI
Strong On the Modified Mercalli Scale. |
Tsunami Risk: | Tsunami very unlikely While this was a shallow earthquake, it appears to have occurred under land with a magnitude not strong enough to cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here. |
Minimal impact predicted
The US Geographic Survey (USGS) describes the impact of this earthquake as follows:
Several homes and buildings damaged in the Dongshan-Nanxi area.
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 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 96% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 10 million USD.
Roughly 17 million people exposed to shaking
An estimated 17 million have been exposed to shaking (An MMI or Modified Mercalli Intensity level II or higher) as a result of this earthquake according scientific estimates published by the USGS.
Strong shaking and probably light damage may have been experienced by an estimated 9,310 people. At VI, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. The majority of people (roughly 6 million) live in an area exposed to level III, where weak shaking and probably no damage is expected.
People in 3 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Taiwan , around 15 million people, with impact levels up to VI (strong shaking, probably light damage). In China , around 2.3 million people.
People | MMI Level | Shaking | Damage |
---|---|---|---|
0 | I |
Not noticable | None |
4,228,000 | II |
Very weak | None |
5,957,000 | III |
Weak | Probably none |
5,704,000 | IV |
Light | Likely none |
1,362,000 | V |
Moderate | Very light |
9,310 | 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 struck within proximity of multiple countries. Taiwan and China are both within 300km distance of its epicenter.
Yujing in Tainan City, Taiwan is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 2 kilometer (1 mi) southwest of Yujing. Yujing experienced an earthquake intensity (MMI Scale) of roughly V. That level implies moderate shaking and very light damage.
Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Taipei is located 242 km to the north-northeast (intensity unknown, possibly low). Tainan is located 27 km to the west-southwest and experienced an intensity of V (moderate shaking, very light damage). Kaohsiung is located 56 km to the south-southwest 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) |
---|---|---|
2 km (1 mi) NE from epicenter |
Yujing Tainan City, Taiwan. |
V
Moderate |
27 km (17 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Tainan Tainan City, Taiwan. |
V
Moderate |
56 km (35 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Kaohsiung Kaohsiung, Taiwan. |
IV
Light |
68 km (42 mi) N from epicenter |
Douliu Yunlin County, Taiwan. |
IV
Light |
71 km (44 mi) S from epicenter |
Donggang Pingtung County, Taiwan. |
IV
Light |
78 km (48 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Lugu Nantou County, Taiwan. |
III
Weak |
92 km (57 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Nantou Nantou County, Taiwan. |
III
Weak |
95 km (59 mi) N from epicenter |
Yuanlin Changhua County, Taiwan. |
IV
Light |
98 km (61 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Zhongxing New Village Nantou County, Taiwan. |
III
Weak |
102 km (63 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Magong Penghu County , Taiwan. |
III
Weak |
109 km (68 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Puli Nantou County, Taiwan. |
III
Weak |
118 km (73 mi) N from epicenter |
Taichung Taichung City, Taiwan. |
III
Weak |
126 km (78 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Hengchun Pingtung County, Taiwan. |
III
Weak |
152 km (94 mi) NE from epicenter |
Hualien City Hualien County, Taiwan. |
III
Weak |
196 km (122 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Hsinchu Hsinchu County, Taiwan. |
II
Weak |
215 km (134 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Daxi Taoyuan City , Taiwan. |
II
Weak |
226 km (140 mi) NE from epicenter |
Yilan Yilan County, Taiwan. |
III
Weak |
227 km (141 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Taoyuan City Taoyuan City , Taiwan. |
|
236 km (147 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Banqiao New Taipei City, Taiwan. |
|
242 km (150 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Taipei Taipei City, Taiwan. |
|
260 km (162 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Keelung Keelung, Taiwan. |
|
262 km (163 mi) NW from epicenter |
Jincheng Fukien, Taiwan. |
|
269 km (167 mi) NW from epicenter |
Jinjiang Fujian, China. |
II
Weak |
273 km (170 mi) NW from epicenter |
Luoyang Fujian, China. |
|
276 km (171 mi) NW from epicenter |
Quanzhou Fujian, China. |
|
285 km (177 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Xiamen Fujian, China. |
|
293 km (182 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Jiangkou Fujian, China. |
|
296 km (184 mi) NW from epicenter |
Ximeicun Fujian, China. |
|
297 km (185 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Putian Fujian, China. |
Earthquake Intensity Map
The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is VI. The map below shows in which areas this earthquake was the most and least impactful. It is based on data from the US Geographic Survey.

Shaking reported by 25 people
People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 25 people have reported shaking in 15 places, all within Taiwan.We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.
Places with most reports:
- Taichung, Taichung Shih, Taiwan: 5 people.
- Fengshan, Kaohsiung Hsien, Taiwan: 4 people.
- Tainan, Tainan Shih, Taiwan: 3 people.
- Chiayi, Chiayi Shih, Taiwan: 2 people.
- Kangshan, Kaohsiung Hsien, Taiwan: 1 person.
- Miaoli, Miaoli, Taiwan: 1 person.
- Nantou, Nantou, Taiwan: 1 person.
- Puli, Nantou, Taiwan: 1 person.
- Makung, Penghu, Taiwan: 1 person.
- Pingtung, Pingtung, Taiwan: 1 person.
7 Aftershocks detected
This main shock was followed by 7 smaller aftershocks. A 5 magnitude earthquake hit 1 day later 83 km (52 mi) south-east of this earthquake.
Before this earthquake struck, 9 smaller foreshocks occurred. Roughly 12 hrs before this earthquake, a foreshock measuring MAG-5.1 was detected nearby this earthquake.
Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks
Classification | Magnitude | When | Where |
---|---|---|---|
Foreshock | M 4.1 |
3 days earlier Jan 23, 2025 15:46 (Taipei Time) | 17 km (11 mi) NE from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.1 |
2 days earlier Jan 24, 2025 01:00 (Taipei Time) | 16 km (10 mi) NE from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.0 |
2 days earlier Jan 24, 2025 17:16 (Taipei Time) | 13 km (8 mi) NE from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.8 |
2 days earlier Jan 24, 2025 19:18 (Taipei Time) | 4 km (2.5 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.9 |
1 day earlier Jan 25, 2025 06:01 (Taipei Time) | 6 km (4 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 5.1 |
12 hrs earlier Jan 25, 2025 19:49 (Taipei Time) | 14 km (9 mi) NNE from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.5 |
11 hrs earlier Jan 25, 2025 21:00 (Taipei Time) | 17 km (11 mi) N from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.2 |
8 hrs earlier Jan 26, 2025 00:07 (Taipei Time) | 12 km (8 mi) NE from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.7 |
7 hrs earlier Jan 26, 2025 00:10 (Taipei Time) | 50 km (31 mi) SSE from Main Shock. |
Main Shock This Earthquake |
M 5.2 |
Jan 26, 2025 07:38 (Taipei Time) | - |
Aftershock | M 4.1 |
17 hrs later Jan 27, 2025 00:35 (Taipei Time) | 7 km (4 mi) NE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.2 |
18 hrs later Jan 27, 2025 02:06 (Taipei Time) | 15 km (10 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 5.0 |
1 day later Jan 27, 2025 08:18 (Taipei Time) | 83 km (52 mi) SE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.4 |
1 day later Jan 27, 2025 09:25 (Taipei Time) | 75 km (47 mi) ESE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.2 |
1 day later Jan 27, 2025 09:58 (Taipei Time) | 13 km (8 mi) NNE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.3 |
2 days later Jan 27, 2025 22:59 (Taipei Time) | 14 km (9 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.0 |
2 days later Jan 28, 2025 07:23 (Taipei Time) | 10 km (6 mi) NNE from Main Shock. |
More earthquakes coming?
Aftershocks are usually at least 1 order of magnitude less strong than main shocks. The more time passes, the smaller the chance and likely strength of any potential aftershocks.
The chance that a significant earthquake like this one is followed by an even larger earthquake is not so large. On average, scientists estimate a 94% chance that a major earthquake will not be followed by an even larger one. It is still adviced to be aware of this risk
Read: How to Stay Safe during an Earthquake (cdc.gov).Earthquakes like this happen often in the region
Earthquakes of this strength are very common in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since January 20th, 2025, when a 6 magnitude earthquake hit 12 km (8 mi) further north-east. An even stronger magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck on April 2nd, 2024.
In total, 99 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.2 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 month.
Tsunami very unlikely
While MAG-6.5+ earthquakes may cause tsunami's, it appears that the epicenter of this earthquake hit under land. In addition, the reported depth is deeper than 100km, making the risk of a tsunami even less likely. However always stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.
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 | Not this earthquake. This earthquake appears to have struck on land far from any coast. |
Not this earthquake. This earthquake had a magnitude of 5.2. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami. |
This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 10 km (6 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami. |
Sources
Last updated 16/02/25 01:08 (). As more information on this earthquake becomes available this article will be updated. This article is automatically composed based on data originating from multiple sources.