On Thursday Morning an Unusually powerful M6.6 Earthquake struck 309km from Medan in Indonesia.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on November 27th, 2025. Last updated December 14th, 2025.

Around noon of Thursday November 27th, 2025, an unusually powerful Magnitude 6.6 earthquake hit under land 309 kilometer from Medan in Indonesia. Mag 6.5+ earthquakes at such shallow depth can cause tsunami's, but this earthquake hit under land. As it's epicenter is close to a coastal area, we still advice cautiousness.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Indonesia, 309 kilometer (192 mi) west-southwest of Medan in North Sumatra. The center of this earthquake had a quite shallow depth of 25 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Nov 27, 2025 11:56 (Jakarta Time) - Nov 27, 2025 04:56 Universal Time.
Location:	309 km WSW of Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Coordinates 2°41'32"N 96°1'36"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 6.6 Detected by 25 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.062 .
Depth:	25 km (16 mi) A quite shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	VII Very Strong On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Small Tsunami Risk Mag 6.5+ earthquakes at such shallow depth can cause tsunami's, but this earthquake hit under land. As it's epicenter is close to a coastal area, we still advice cautiousness. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Small Tsunami Risk

There is a small tsunami risk following this earthquake, as it appears the epicenter was under land, 7 km from the coast. However this was a very strong earthquake at a shallow depth that would have a very high risk at causing tsunami's if it would have occurred under sea. Stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

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 1.8 million people exposed to shaking

An estimated 1.8 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.

An estimated 55,810 people were exposed to level VI. At this level, strong shaking and probably light damage can be expected. Intensity level IV was experienced by the majority of people (around 1.1 million). In their region, light shaking and likely no damage can be expected. All exposure to shaking was within the borders of Indonesia .

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake may have been felt in Indonesia . The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Meulaboh in Aceh, Indonesia. Meulaboh is located 162 kilometer (101 mi) south of the epicenter. Meulaboh experienced an earthquake intensity (MMI Scale) of roughly IV. That level implies light shaking and likely no damage.

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Medan is located 309 km to the east-northeast (intensity unknown, possibly low). Percut is located 332 km to the east-northeast (intensity unknown, possibly low). Binjai is located 291 km to the east-northeast (intensity unknown, possibly low).

A complete list of nearby places is included below. Estimated intensity data (MMI) sourced from a shake-map published by the US Geographic Survey is shown where available (cities without data probably experienced little impact).

Overview of nearby places

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

Shaking reported by 5 people in 4 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 5 people have reported shaking in 5 places in 4 countries (Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Tanjong Tokong, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia: 1 person.
• Singapore, _no region, Singapore: 1 person.
• Medan, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia: 1 person.
• Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: 1 person.
• Phangnga, Phangnga, Thailand: 1 person.

18 Aftershocks detected

Since this main shock, 18 smaller aftershocks were detected. Just 14 mins after this main shock, an earthquake measuring MAG-4.4 was detected 20 km (12 mi) southwest of this earthquake.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

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.

In only six percent of cases, significant earthquakes are followed by a larger main shock, making the current earthquake a foreshock. While the chance of this happening is not so large, it is adviced to maintain cautiousness in the hours and days following a major earthquake.

This is the strongest earthquake in 5 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 May 14th, 2021, when a 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit 292 km (182 mi) further south-southeast. That was also the heaviest earthquake to hit the region in the past 10 years.

In total, 1 earthquake with a magnitude of 6.6 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 10 years.

Sources

Last updated 14/12/25 06:18 (). 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 us7000re2g
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20251127_0000076
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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