Shallow M5.5 Earthquake hit near Quito in Ecuador on Friday Evening.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on January 31st, 2025. Last updated February 1st, 2025.

In the evening of Friday January 31st, 2025, a shallow and significant M5.5 earthquake hit under land 78 kilometer from Quito in Ecuador. Around 13 million people have been exposed to shaking. Another nearby country is Colombia.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Ecuador, 78 kilometer (48 mi) south-southeast of Quito in Pichincha. 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 31, 2025 18:02 (Guayaquil Time) - Jan 31, 2025 23:02 Universal Time.
Location:	78 km SSE of Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador. Coordinates 0°49'26"N 78°8'57"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.5 Detected by 429 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.028 .
Depth:	10 km (6 mi) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	VII Very 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

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (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 13 million people exposed to shaking

An estimated 13 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.

The highest earthquake impact level for this earthquake is VI, which corresponds with strong shaking and probably light damage. Roughly 270 people are expected to be exposed to this level. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 9 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected.

People in 3 countries have been exposed to shaking. Roughly 12 million people were exposed to shaking in Ecuador , with level VI (strong shaking, probably light damage) as the highest recorded. In Colombia and Peru, a smaller number of people were exposed.

Nearby towns and cities

Ecuador and Colombia are both located within 300km distance of the epicenter of the earthquake.

Tena in Napo, Ecuador is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 42 kilometer (26 mi) west-northwest of Tena. The intensity of shaking and damage in Tena is estimated to be around level IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (light shaking, likely no damage).

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Quito is located 78 km to the north-northwest and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Guayaquil is located 246 km to the southwest and experienced an intensity of II (very weak shaking, no damage). Ambato is located 70 km to the southwest and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage).

The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake. Where available, the estimated intensity on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in each place is included. Places where this information is omitted likely experienced little impact.

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The intensity in shaking and damage by this earthquake is illustrated through the map below. The highest intensity measured 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

Shaking reported by 23 people

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 23 people have reported shaking in 8 places, all within Ecuador.We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador: 14 people.
• Tena, Napo, Ecuador: 3 people.
• Tulcán, Carchi, Ecuador: 1 person.
• Eloy Alfaro, Guayas, Ecuador: 1 person.
• Cotacachi, Imbabura, Ecuador: 1 person.
• Archidona, Napo, Ecuador: 1 person.
• Baños, Tungurahua, Ecuador: 1 person.
• Pillaro, Tungurahua, Ecuador: 1 person.

8 Aftershocks detected

After this earthquake struck, 8 smaller aftershocks occurred. Just 12 hrs after this main shock, an earthquake measuring MAG-5.1 was detected 4 km (2.4 mi) south-east of this earthquake.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

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.

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

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 March 18th, 2023, when a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit 289 km (179 mi) further southwest. An even stronger magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck on April 16th, 2016.

In total, 30 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.5 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 4 months.

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

Sources

Last updated 01/02/25 12:48 (). 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 us7000pahy
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20250131_0000308
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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