M5.1 Earthquake 133 km S of Honchō, Japan — December 16, 2025
2025-12-16 05:38:51 UTC (2025-12-16) · approx. 3:38 PM UTC+10 local
On December 16, 2025 at 05:38 UTC, a magnitude 5.1 shallow crustal earthquake struck 133 km S of Honchō, Japan, at a depth of 35.0 km and coordinates 40.9265°, 143.0232°. This earthquake was detected by 137 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 400, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 674 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.0 km — 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
Earthquake Details
143.0232°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.1 earthquake near Honchō, Japan?
The magnitude 5.1 earthquake that struck 133 km S of Honchō, Japan on December 16, 2025 at 05:38 UTC had a depth of 35.0 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 40.9265°, 143.0232°, which is 133 km S of Honchō, Japan. View all earthquakes in Japan.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.1 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks 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 5.1 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: us6000rv85). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, December 16, 2025). M5.1 Earthquake 133 km S of Honchō, Japan — December 16, 2025. Retrieved May 24, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000rv85/