A shallow and significant Magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck under land 22 kilometer from Merke in Kazakhstan deep in the night of Friday March 28th, 2025. Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are also near its epicenter.
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Earthquake Summary
The earthquake struck on land in Kazakhstan, 22 kilometer (14 mi) southwest of Merke in Zhambyl. 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: | Mar 28, 2025 03:42 (Almaty Time) - Mar 27, 2025 22:42 Universal Time. |
|---|---|
| Location: | 22 km SW of Merke, Zhambyl, Kazakhstan. Coordinates 42°43'32"N 72°59'30"E. |
| Map: |  Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps. |
| Magnitude: | MAG 5.2 Detected by 229 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.038 . |
| Depth: | 10 km (6 mi) A very 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. |
Nearby towns and cities
This earthquake struck within proximity of multiple countries. Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are all within 300km distance of its epicenter.
Located 22 kilometer (14 mi) southwest of the epicenter of this earthquake, Merke (Zhambyl, Kazakhstan) is the nearest significant population center.
Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Bishkek is located 131 km to the east. Taraz is located 134 km to the west. Namangan is located 221 km to the south-southwest.
The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake.
Overview of nearby places
| Distance | Place |
|---|---|
| 22 km (14 mi) NE from epicenter |
Merke Zhambyl, Kazakhstan. |
| 65 km (40 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Talas Talas, Kyrgyzstan. |
| 71 km (44 mi) E from epicenter |
Kara-Balta Chüy, Kyrgyzstan. |
| 95 km (59 mi) S from epicenter |
Toktogul Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan. |
| 116 km (72 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Chu Zhambyl, Kazakhstan. |
| 125 km (78 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Sarykemer Zhambyl, Kazakhstan. |
| 131 km (81 mi) E from epicenter |
Bishkek Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. |
| 134 km (83 mi) W from epicenter |
Taraz Zhambyl, Kazakhstan. |
| 153 km (95 mi) E from epicenter |
Kant Chüy, Kyrgyzstan. |
| 166 km (103 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Tash-Kumyr Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan. |
| 189 km (117 mi) S from epicenter |
Bazar-Korgon Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan. |
| 189 km (117 mi) E from epicenter |
Tokmok Chüy, Kyrgyzstan. |
| 192 km (119 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Kochkor-Ata Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan. |
| 194 km (121 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Uchqŭrghon Shahri Namangan, Uzbekistan. |
| 199 km (124 mi) S from epicenter |
Jalal-Abad Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan. |
| 200 km (124 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Yangiqo‘rg‘on Namangan, Uzbekistan. |
| 203 km (126 mi) SW from epicenter |
Kosonsoy Namangan, Uzbekistan. |
| 203 km (126 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Uychi Namangan, Uzbekistan. |
| 208 km (129 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Chortoq Namangan, Uzbekistan. |
| 211 km (131 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Karatau Zhambyl, Kazakhstan. |
| 213 km (132 mi) S from epicenter |
Oyim Andijon, Uzbekistan. |
| 213 km (132 mi) S from epicenter |
Dardoq Andijon, Uzbekistan. |
| 214 km (133 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Haqqulobod Namangan, Uzbekistan. |
| 217 km (135 mi) W from epicenter |
Turar Ryskulov Turkistan, Kazakhstan. |
| 218 km (135 mi) S from epicenter |
Sultonobod Andijon, Uzbekistan. |
| 219 km (136 mi) S from epicenter |
Uzgen Osh, Kyrgyzstan. |
| 221 km (137 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Namangan Namangan, Uzbekistan. |
| 223 km (139 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Andijon Andijon, Uzbekistan. |
| 223 km (139 mi) S from epicenter |
Qo‘rg‘ontepa Andijon, Uzbekistan. |
| 225 km (140 mi) S from epicenter |
Kara Suu Osh, Kyrgyzstan. |
| 228 km (142 mi) SSW from epicenter |
To‘rqao‘rg‘on Namangan, Uzbekistan. |
| 231 km (144 mi) S from epicenter |
Xo‘jaobod Andijon, Uzbekistan. |
| 233 km (145 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Toshbuloq Namangan, Uzbekistan. |
| 240 km (149 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Asaka Andijon, Uzbekistan. |
| 240 km (149 mi) SW from epicenter |
Chust Namangan, Uzbekistan. |
| 245 km (152 mi) S from epicenter |
Osh Osh, Kyrgyzstan. |
| 257 km (160 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Quva Fergana, Uzbekistan. |
| 258 km (160 mi) SW from epicenter |
Pop Namangan, Uzbekistan. |
| 261 km (162 mi) W from epicenter |
Belyye Vody Turkistan, Kazakhstan. |
| 262 km (163 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Lenger Turkistan, Kazakhstan. |
| 263 km (163 mi) E from epicenter |
Balykchy Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan. |
| 270 km (168 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Toshloq Fergana, Uzbekistan. |
| 272 km (169 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Marg‘ilon Fergana, Uzbekistan. |
| 279 km (173 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Fergana Fergana, Uzbekistan. |
| 280 km (174 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Zhangatas Zhambyl, Kazakhstan. |
| 282 km (175 mi) W from epicenter |
Shymkent Shymkent, Kazakhstan. |
| 283 km (176 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Quvasoy Fergana, Uzbekistan. |
| 283 km (176 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Iradan Batken, Kyrgyzstan. |
| 284 km (176 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Kyzyl-Kyya Batken, Kyrgyzstan. |
| 286 km (178 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Naryn Naryn, Kyrgyzstan. |
| 296 km (184 mi) WSW from epicenter |
G‘azalkent Toshkent, Uzbekistan. |
| 298 km (185 mi) SW from epicenter |
Qo‘qon Fergana, Uzbekistan. |
Shaking reported by 12 people in 2 countries
People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 12 people have reported shaking in 3 places in 2 countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.
Places with most reports:
- Bişkek, Bişkek, Kyrgyzstan: 9 people.
- Taraz, Taraz, Kazakhstan: 2 people.
- Almaty, Almaty, Kazakhstan: 1 person.
Aftershocks detected
Since this main shock, 1 smaller aftershock was detected. A 5 magnitude earthquake hit 12 hrs later 6 km (4 mi) northwest of this earthquake.
Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks
| Classification | Magnitude | When | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Shock This Earthquake |
M 5.2 |
Mar 28, 2025 03:42 (Almaty Time) | - |
| Aftershock | M 5.0 |
12 hrs later Mar 28, 2025 15:56 (Almaty Time) | 6 km (4 mi) NW from Main Shock. |
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.
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).This is the strongest earthquake in 9 years
Earthquakes of this strength are not so common in the region, but it's not the first time. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since December 7th, 2015, when a 5.5 magnitude earthquake hit 173 km (107 mi) further south-east. An even stronger magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck on November 17th, 2015.
In total, 2 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 5 years.
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 01/04/25 22:58 (). 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.
- US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us7000pn6j
- European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20250327_0000249
- Geonames.org: World Cities Database
- Google Maps: Static API
- Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database
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