Significant M5.6 Earthquake struck on Friday Night in the North Pacific Ocean 111km from Hachinohe (Japan).

Written by Earthquakelist.org on December 25th, 2025. Last updated January 7th, 2026.

In the North Pacific Ocean 111 kilometer from Hachinohe, Japan, a significant MAG-5.6 earthquake occurred in the night of Friday December 26th, 2025. Around 4 million people have been exposed to shaking.

Felt the earthquake? Share this article:

Earthquake Summary

This earthquake hit under water in the North Pacific Ocean, 108 kilometers (67 mi) off the coast of Japan, 111 kilometer north-east of Hachinohe in Aomori. The center of this earthquake had a quite shallow depth of 62 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Dec 26, 2025 01:17 (Tokyo Time) - Dec 25, 2025 16:17 Universal Time.
Location:	111 km NE of Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan. Coordinates 41°13'20"N 142°25'5"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.6 Detected by 11 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.093 .
Depth:	62 km (38 mi) A quite shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	IV Light On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Low tsunami risk Earthquakes under MAG-6.5 do not usually 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 4 million people exposed to shaking

This earthquake may have been felt by around 4 million people. That is the expected population size of the area exposed to a level of shaking of II or higher on the Modified Mercalli scale according to the USGS.

An estimated 325,300 people were exposed to level IV. At this level, light shaking and likely no damage can be expected. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 3.5 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected. All exposure to shaking was within the borders of Japan .

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake may have been felt in Japan . Located 101 kilometer (63 mi) east of the epicenter of this earthquake, Mutsu (Aomori, Japan) is the nearest significant population center. The intensity of shaking and damage in Mutsu is estimated to be around level IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (light shaking, likely no damage).

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Sapporo is located 223 km to the north-northwest (intensity unknown, possibly low). Hachinohe is located 111 km to the southwest and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Aomori is located 148 km to the west-southwest and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage).

The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake. Where available, the estimated intensity on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in each place is included. Places where this information is omitted likely experienced little impact.

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is IV. 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

Aftershocks detected

Since this main shock, 1 smaller aftershock was detected. A 4.6 magnitude earthquake hit 8 mins later 12 km (7 mi) north-northwest of this earthquake.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

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.

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

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 December 12th, 2025, when a 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit 44 km (27 mi) further south-east. An even stronger magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck on December 8th, 2025.

In total, 34 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.6 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 4 months.

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

Sources

Last updated 07/01/26 17:08 (). This article contains currently available information about the earthquake and is automatically composed. We continue to update this article up to a few days after the earthquake occurred.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us7000rkqm
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20251225_0000219
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

Share this article: