3.8

M3.8 Earthquake in the Pagan region, Northern Mariana IslandsJanuary 16, 2025

2025-01-16 15:06:21 UTC (2025-01-16) · approx. 1:06 AM UTC+10 local

MagnitudeM3.8(mb)
Time15:06 UTC1:06 AM UTC+10
Depth185.8 kmintermediate depth
Coordinates18.534°, 145.675°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On January 16, 2025 at 15:06 UTC, a magnitude 3.8 intermediate depth earthquake struck in the Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands, at a depth of 185.8 km and coordinates 18.5344°, 145.6754°.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 3.8 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 7.6 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 252 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 18.53°, 145.68°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
3.8 mb
Depth
185.8 km
intermediate depth
Location
18.5344°N
145.6754°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000pm50
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
222
Stations Used
17
Azimuthal Gap
147.0°
Min Station Distance
3.277°
RMS Residual
1.20 sec
Last Updated
2025-03-29 22:12:46 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 3.8 earthquake in the Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands?

The magnitude 3.8 earthquake that struck in the Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands on January 16, 2025 at 15:06 UTC had a depth of 185.8 km. For context, this was a minor earthquake typically detected only by instruments.

Were there aftershocks?

Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 3.8 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.

Understanding This Data

Magnitude 3.8 earthquakes are typically only recorded by instruments.

Learn more about magnitude →

Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000pm50). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, January 16, 2025). M3.8 Earthquake in the Pagan region, Northern Mariana IslandsJanuary 16, 2025. Retrieved March 29, 2025 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000pm50/