Written by on . Last updated March 18th, 2025.

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.
Location: 43 km ENE of Sibolga, North Sumatra, Indonesia.
Coordinates 1°53'51"N 99°8'7"E.
Map: Map of area around epicenter.
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.
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 102,600 people are expected to be exposed to this level. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 11 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
253,000
II
Very weak None
11,250,000
III
Weak Probably none
5,656,000
IV
Light Likely none
102,600
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.
IV
Light
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.
IV
Light
140 km (87 mi)
NNE from epicenter
Tanjungbalai

North Sumatra, Indonesia.
IV
Light
144 km (89 mi)
NNE from epicenter
Teluk Nibung

North Sumatra, Indonesia.
IV
Light
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.
III
Weak
215 km (134 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Belawan

North Sumatra, Indonesia.
218 km (135 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Stabat

North Sumatra, Indonesia.
III
Weak
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.
Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is 0. 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 24 people in 2 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 24 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.
  • 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.
  • Pematang Siantar, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia: 1 person.
  • Sibolga, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia: 1 person.
  • Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia: 1 person.

3 Aftershocks detected

Since this main shock, 3 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.
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.

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

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 5.4. 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 06:48 (). 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. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20250317_0000229
  2. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
  3. Google Maps: Static API
  4. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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