A significant Magnitude 5.0 aftershock struck in the North Pacific Ocean 129 kilometer from Hachinohe, Japan in the morning of Tuesday December 9th, 2025.
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Earthquake Summary
This earthquake hit under water in the North Pacific Ocean, 107 kilometers (67 mi) off the coast of Japan, 129 kilometer east-northeast of Hachinohe in Aomori. The center of this earthquake had a quite shallow depth of 35 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.
| Date and Time: | Dec 9, 2025 07:07 (Tokyo Time) - Dec 8, 2025 22:07 Universal Time. |
|---|---|
| Location: | 129 km ENE of Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan. Coordinates 41°2'19"N 142°51'36"E. |
| Map: |  Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps. |
| Magnitude: | MAG 5.0 Detected by 103 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.056 . |
| Depth: | 35 km (22 mi) A quite shallow depth. |
| Tsunami Risk: | Low tsunami risk Earthquakes under MAG-6.5 do not usually cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here. |
Nearby towns and cities
This earthquake may have been felt in Japan . Located 129 kilometer (80 mi) east-northeast of the epicenter of this earthquake, Hachinohe (Aomori, Japan) is the nearest significant population center.
Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Sapporo is located 258 km to the north-northwest. Hachinohe is located 129 km to the west-southwest. Aomori is located 180 km to the west.
The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake.
Overview of nearby places
| Distance | Place |
|---|---|
| 129 km (80 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Hachinohe Aomori, Japan. |
| 130 km (81 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Misawa Aomori, Japan. |
| 140 km (87 mi) W from epicenter |
Mutsu Aomori, Japan. |
| 150 km (93 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Shizunai-furukawachō Hokkaido, Japan. |
| 173 km (107 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Miyako Iwate, Japan. |
| 180 km (112 mi) W from epicenter |
Aomori Aomori, Japan. |
| 191 km (119 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Yamada Iwate, Japan. |
| 194 km (121 mi) W from epicenter |
Namioka Aomori, Japan. |
| 195 km (121 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Hakodate Hokkaido, Japan. |
| 196 km (122 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Kuroishi Aomori, Japan. |
| 199 km (124 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Hanawa Akita, Japan. |
| 204 km (127 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Honchō Hokkaido, Japan. |
| 204 km (127 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Kamiiso Hokkaido, Japan. |
| 205 km (127 mi) W from epicenter |
Goshogawara Aomori, Japan. |
| 206 km (128 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Tomakomai Hokkaido, Japan. |
| 207 km (129 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Hirosaki Aomori, Japan. |
| 208 km (129 mi) SW from epicenter |
Morioka Iwate, Japan. |
| 210 km (130 mi) W from epicenter |
Shimokizukuri Aomori, Japan. |
| 210 km (130 mi) NW from epicenter |
Shiraoi Hokkaido, Japan. |
| 211 km (131 mi) N from epicenter |
Obihiro Hokkaido, Japan. |
| 211 km (131 mi) NW from epicenter |
Muroran Hokkaido, Japan. |
| 212 km (132 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Ōdate Akita, Japan. |
| 213 km (132 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Kamaishi Iwate, Japan. |
| 218 km (135 mi) SW from epicenter |
Shizukuishi Iwate, Japan. |
| 219 km (136 mi) N from epicenter |
Otofuke Hokkaido, Japan. |
| 222 km (138 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Tōno Iwate, Japan. |
| 222 km (138 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Chitose Hokkaido, Japan. |
| 229 km (142 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Takanosu Akita, Japan. |
| 229 km (142 mi) NW from epicenter |
Date Hokkaido, Japan. |
| 236 km (147 mi) SW from epicenter |
Hanamaki Iwate, Japan. |
| 239 km (149 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Ōfunato Iwate, Japan. |
| 240 km (149 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Kitahiroshima Hokkaido, Japan. |
| 245 km (152 mi) SW from epicenter |
Kitakami Iwate, Japan. |
| 249 km (155 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Kushiro Hokkaido, Japan. |
| 254 km (158 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Ebetsu Hokkaido, Japan. |
| 256 km (159 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Noshiro Akita, Japan. |
| 257 km (160 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Iwamizawa Hokkaido, Japan. |
| 258 km (160 mi) SW from epicenter |
Mizusawa Iwate, Japan. |
| 258 km (160 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Sapporo Hokkaido, Japan. |
| 260 km (162 mi) N from epicenter |
Shimo-furano Hokkaido, Japan. |
| 267 km (166 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Bibai Hokkaido, Japan. |
| 268 km (167 mi) SW from epicenter |
Ōmagari Akita, Japan. |
| 274 km (170 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Ishikari Hokkaido, Japan. |
| 274 km (170 mi) SW from epicenter |
Yokote Akita, Japan. |
| 275 km (171 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Akita Akita, Japan. |
| 276 km (171 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Tennō Akita, Japan. |
| 278 km (173 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Ichinoseki Iwate, Japan. |
| 283 km (176 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Sunagawa Hokkaido, Japan. |
| 284 km (176 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Otaru Hokkaido, Japan. |
| 289 km (180 mi) SW from epicenter |
Yuzawa Akita, Japan. |
| 290 km (180 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Takikawa Hokkaido, Japan. |
This is likely an aftershock
This earthquake was an aftershock. A larger mag. 7.6 earthquake struck 60 km (37 mi) west in advance of this 5.0 earthquake around 8 hrs earlier.
Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks
| Classification | Magnitude | When | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreshock | M 3.3 |
1 day earlier Dec 7, 2025 18:33 (Tokyo Time) | 62 km (39 mi) N from Main Shock. |
| Main Shock | M 7.6 |
Dec 8, 2025 23:15 (Tokyo Time) | - |
| Aftershock | M 5.5 |
19 mins later Dec 8, 2025 23:33 (Tokyo Time) | 41 km (26 mi) ESE from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.6 |
25 mins later Dec 8, 2025 23:40 (Tokyo Time) | 6 km (4 mi) SW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.9 |
55 mins later Dec 9, 2025 00:10 (Tokyo Time) | 47 km (29 mi) E from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 5.0 |
2 hrs later Dec 9, 2025 00:57 (Tokyo Time) | 76 km (47 mi) E from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.8 |
2 hrs later Dec 9, 2025 01:08 (Tokyo Time) | 6 km (4 mi) SW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 4.4 |
2 hrs later Dec 9, 2025 01:18 (Tokyo Time) | 55 km (34 mi) ENE from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 4.1 |
3 hrs later Dec 9, 2025 02:12 (Tokyo Time) | 64 km (40 mi) E from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 4.8 |
4 hrs later Dec 9, 2025 02:58 (Tokyo Time) | 74 km (46 mi) E from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 5.8 |
5 hrs later Dec 9, 2025 03:56 (Tokyo Time) | 77 km (48 mi) E from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 4.7 |
6 hrs later Dec 9, 2025 04:45 (Tokyo Time) | 98 km (61 mi) E from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 6.6 |
8 hrs later Dec 9, 2025 06:52 (Tokyo Time) | 86 km (53 mi) E from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock This Earthquake |
M 5.0 |
8 hrs later Dec 9, 2025 07:07 (Tokyo Time) | 60 km (37 mi) E from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 5.6 |
10 hrs later Dec 9, 2025 08:59 (Tokyo Time) | 53 km (33 mi) ESE from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 4.9 |
10 hrs later Dec 9, 2025 09:18 (Tokyo Time) | 22 km (14 mi) N from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 4.0 |
15 hrs later Dec 9, 2025 13:47 (Tokyo Time) | 42 km (26 mi) ENE from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 4.6 |
15 hrs later Dec 9, 2025 14:15 (Tokyo Time) | 65 km (40 mi) ENE from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 5.1 |
19 hrs later Dec 9, 2025 18:09 (Tokyo Time) | 31 km (20 mi) NNE from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 4.3 |
19 hrs later Dec 9, 2025 18:20 (Tokyo Time) | 82 km (51 mi) ENE from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 4.4 |
20 hrs later Dec 9, 2025 19:04 (Tokyo Time) | 65 km (40 mi) E from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.9 |
1 day later Dec 10, 2025 07:14 (Tokyo Time) | 42 km (26 mi) ENE from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 4.5 |
1 day later Dec 10, 2025 07:20 (Tokyo Time) | 46 km (29 mi) E from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 4.6 |
1 day later Dec 10, 2025 08:04 (Tokyo Time) | 31 km (19 mi) NE from Main Shock. |
More earthquakes coming?
The risk of aftershocks decreases rapidly over time. Usually, aftershocks are at least one order of magnitude lower than a main shock.
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
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. In total, 193 earthquakes with a magnitude of 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 19 days.
Low tsunami risk
Based on early data it appears this earthquake was not strong enough (lower than MAG-6.5) to be likely to cause destructive tsunami's. However this earthquake appeared to have hit at a shallow depth under sea, so 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 | This earthquake appears to have struck under the sea. | Not this earthquake. This earthquake had a magnitude of 5. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami. |
This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 35 km (22 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami. |
Sources
Last updated 10/12/25 04:28 (). 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.
- US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us6000rtin
- European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20251208_0000388
- Geonames.org: World Cities Database
- Google Maps: Static API
- Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database
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