A significant M5.4 earthquake struck under land 43 kilometer from Sibolga in Indonesia in the early morning of Tuesday March 18th, 2025. Roughly 17 million people may have felt this earthquake. Malaysia is also near its epicenter.
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Earthquake Summary
The earthquake struck on land in Indonesia, 43 kilometer (27 mi) east-northeast of Sibolga in North Sumatra. The center of this earthquake had a quite shallow depth of 51 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.
Date and Time: | Mar 18, 2025 05:23 (Jakarta Time) - Mar 17, 2025 22:23 Universal Time. |
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Location: | 43 km ENE of Sibolga, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Coordinates 1°53'51"N 99°8'7"E. |
Map: | ![]() Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps. |
Magnitude: | MAG 5.4 Detected by 17 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.075 . |
Depth: | 51 km (31 mi) A quite shallow depth. |
Max. Intensity: | V
Moderate 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 17 million people exposed to shaking
The USGS has published a report estimating the number of people exposed to this earthquake. Acoording to their analysis, roughly 17 million have been exposed to shaking at an MMI level of II or higher.
The highest earthquake impact level for this earthquake is V, which corresponds with moderate shaking and very light damage. Roughly 40,890 people are expected to be exposed to this level. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 13 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected.
People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Indonesia , around 17 million people, with impact levels up to V (moderate shaking, very light damage). In Malaysia, shaking was experienced too.
People | MMI Level | Shaking | Damage |
---|---|---|---|
0 | I |
Not noticable | None |
578,700 | II |
Very weak | None |
12,740,000 | III |
Weak | Probably none |
3,558,000 | IV |
Light | Likely none |
40,890 | V |
Moderate | Very light |
0 | 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. Indonesia and Malaysia are both within 300km distance of its epicenter.
Located 43 kilometer (27 mi) east-northeast of the epicenter of this earthquake, Sibolga (North Sumatra, Indonesia) is the nearest significant population center. Sibolga experienced an earthquake intensity (MMI Scale) of roughly IV. That level implies light shaking and likely no damage.
Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Medan is located 195 km to the north-northwest and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Klang is located 286 km to the east-northeast (intensity unknown, possibly low). Pekanbaru is located 299 km to the east-southeast (intensity unknown, possibly low).
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) |
---|---|---|
43 km (27 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Sibolga North Sumatra, Indonesia. |
IV
Light |
60 km (37 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Padangsidempuan North Sumatra, Indonesia. |
IV
Light |
70 km (43 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Bandar North Sumatra, Indonesia. |
IV
Light |
81 km (50 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Rantauprapat North Sumatra, Indonesia. |
IV
Light |
118 km (73 mi) N from epicenter |
Pematangsiantar North Sumatra, Indonesia. |
III
Weak |
130 km (81 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Tongging North Sumatra, Indonesia. |
III
Weak |
132 km (82 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Kisaran North Sumatra, Indonesia. |
IV
Light |
135 km (84 mi) N from epicenter |
Pekan Bahapal North Sumatra, Indonesia. |
III
Weak |
140 km (87 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Tanjungbalai North Sumatra, Indonesia. |
III
Weak |
144 km (89 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Teluk Nibung North Sumatra, Indonesia. |
III
Weak |
152 km (94 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Kabanjahe North Sumatra, Indonesia. |
III
Weak |
156 km (97 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Singkil Aceh, Indonesia. |
III
Weak |
159 km (99 mi) N from epicenter |
Tebingtinggi North Sumatra, Indonesia. |
III
Weak |
160 km (99 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Berastagi North Sumatra, Indonesia. |
III
Weak |
186 km (116 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Deli Tua North Sumatra, Indonesia. |
III
Weak |
187 km (116 mi) N from epicenter |
Perbaungan North Sumatra, Indonesia. |
III
Weak |
194 km (121 mi) N from epicenter |
Percut North Sumatra, Indonesia. |
III
Weak |
195 km (121 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Sunggal North Sumatra, Indonesia. |
III
Weak |
195 km (121 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Medan North Sumatra, Indonesia. |
III
Weak |
203 km (126 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Binjai North Sumatra, Indonesia. |
III
Weak |
210 km (130 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Labuhan Deli North Sumatra, Indonesia. |
|
215 km (134 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Belawan North Sumatra, Indonesia. |
|
218 km (135 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Stabat North Sumatra, Indonesia. |
|
255 km (158 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Tanjungtiram North Sumatra, Indonesia. |
|
255 km (158 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Pangkalan Brandan North Sumatra, Indonesia. |
|
257 km (160 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Balai Pungut Riau, Indonesia. |
|
258 km (160 mi) E from epicenter |
Dumai Riau, Indonesia. |
|
279 km (173 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Pelabuhan Klang Selangor, Malaysia. |
|
281 km (175 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Bukittinggi West Sumatra, Indonesia. |
|
282 km (175 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Banting Selangor, Malaysia. |
|
283 km (176 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Tanjung Sepat Selangor, Malaysia. |
|
283 km (176 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Kampong Dungun Perak, Malaysia. |
|
284 km (176 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Jenjarum Selangor, Malaysia. |
|
284 km (176 mi) NE from epicenter |
Kampung Tanjung Karang Selangor, Malaysia. |
|
285 km (177 mi) NE from epicenter |
Kuala Selangor Selangor, Malaysia. |
|
285 km (177 mi) NE from epicenter |
Sungai Besar Selangor, Malaysia. |
|
286 km (178 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Klang Selangor, Malaysia. |
|
288 km (179 mi) SE from epicenter |
Payakumbuh West Sumatra, Indonesia. |
|
293 km (182 mi) NE from epicenter |
Sabak Bernam Selangor, Malaysia. |
|
297 km (185 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Putra Heights Selangor, Malaysia. |
|
297 km (185 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Shah Alam Selangor, Malaysia. |
|
299 km (186 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Pekanbaru Riau, Indonesia. |
Earthquake Intensity Map
The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is V. 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 in 2 countries
People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 25 people have reported shaking in 10 places in 2 countries (Indonesia, Malaysia).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.
Places with most reports:
- Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: 7 people.
- Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia: 3 people.
- Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia: 3 people.
- Pematang Siantar, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia: 2 people.
- Balakong, Selangor, Malaysia: 2 people.
- Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi, Selangor, Malaysia: 2 people.
- Kajang-Sungai Chua, Selangor, Malaysia: 2 people.
- Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia: 2 people.
- Sibolga, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia: 1 person.
- Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia: 1 person.
4 Aftershocks detected
Since this main shock, 4 smaller aftershocks were detected. A 3.2 magnitude earthquake hit 4 hrs later 23 km (14 mi) northwest of this earthquake.
Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks
Classification | Magnitude | When | Where |
---|---|---|---|
Main Shock | M 4.7 |
Mar 18, 2025 05:22 (Jakarta Time) | - |
Aftershock | M 3.2 |
1 hr later Mar 18, 2025 06:46 (Jakarta Time) | 21 km (13 mi) NW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 3.2 |
4 hrs later Mar 18, 2025 09:16 (Jakarta Time) | 23 km (14 mi) NW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 2.5 |
4 hrs later Mar 18, 2025 09:35 (Jakarta Time) | 29 km (18 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 2.6 |
12 hrs later Mar 18, 2025 17:03 (Jakarta Time) | 29 km (18 mi) WNW 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.
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).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 31st, 2025, when a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit 270 km (168 mi) further northwest. An even stronger magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck on March 13th, 2022.
In total, 17 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.4 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 7 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
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 5.4. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami. |
This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 51 km (31 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami. |
Sources
Last updated 18/03/25 10:18 (). 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.