Written by on . Last updated February 16th, 2025.

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.
Location: 2 km SW of Yujing, Tainan City, Taiwan.
Coordinates 23°6'28"N 120°26'51"E.
Map: Map of area around epicenter.
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.
Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.

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.

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

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.

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.

  1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us6000pmct
  2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20250125_0000242
  3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
  4. Google Maps: Static API
  5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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