4.5

M4.5 Earthquake 85 km NW of Uken, JapanSeptember 23, 2025

2025-09-23 17:08:15 UTC (2025-09-23) · approx. 2:08 AM UTC+9 local

MagnitudeM4.5(mb)
Time17:08 UTC2:08 AM UTC+9
Depth147.3 kmintermediate depth
Coordinates28.816°, 128.584°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On September 23, 2025 at 17:08 UTC, a magnitude 4.5 intermediate depth earthquake struck 85 km NW of Uken, Japan, at a depth of 147.3 km and coordinates 28.8164°, 128.5836°. This earthquake was detected by 45 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 312, placing it among routine seismic activity.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 85 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 767 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

The epicenter is located in Japan, a region characterized by the intersection of four tectonic plates — Pacific, Philippine Sea, Eurasian, and North American — creating multiple subduction zones. The nearest mapped fault system is the Japan Trench. View all earthquakes in Japan.

Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 28.82°, 128.58°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.5 mb
Depth
147.3 km
intermediate depth
Location
28.8164°N
128.5836°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000rcd7
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
312
Stations Used
45
Azimuthal Gap
66.0°
Min Station Distance
1.992°
RMS Residual
0.77 sec
Last Updated
2025-12-06 16:00:09 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.5 earthquake near Uken, Japan?

The magnitude 4.5 earthquake that struck 85 km NW of Uken, Japan on September 23, 2025 at 17:08 UTC had a depth of 147.3 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.

Where did the earthquake occur?

The earthquake epicenter was located at 28.8164°, 128.5836°, which is 85 km NW of Uken, Japan. View all earthquakes in Japan.

Were there aftershocks?

Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.5 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.

Has Japan had earthquakes this big before?

The largest recorded earthquake in Japan was the M9.1 Tohoku earthquake of March 11, 2011. Today's magnitude 4.5 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.

What should I do after an earthquake?

If you were in the affected area: check yourself and others for injuries, inspect your home for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. For detailed guidance, see our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.

Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000rcd7). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, September 23, 2025). M4.5 Earthquake 85 km NW of Uken, JapanSeptember 23, 2025. Retrieved May 28, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000rcd7/