M5.2 Earthquake 213 km SE of Kirakira, Solomon Islands — December 16, 2025
2025-12-16 09:18:45 UTC (2025-12-16) · approx. 8:18 PM UTC+11 local
On December 16, 2025 at 09:18 UTC, a magnitude 5.2 shallow crustal earthquake struck 213 km SE of Kirakira, Solomon Islands, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates -11.6932°, 163.4164°. This earthquake was detected by 152 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 416, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.2 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 951 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.3 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
163.4164°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.2 earthquake near Kirakira, Solomon Islands?
The magnitude 5.2 earthquake that struck 213 km SE of Kirakira, Solomon Islands on December 16, 2025 at 09:18 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -11.6932°, 163.4164°, which is 213 km SE of Kirakira, Solomon Islands.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.2 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks and gradually diminish over time.
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: us6000rv8z). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, December 16, 2025). M5.2 Earthquake 213 km SE of Kirakira, Solomon Islands — December 16, 2025. Retrieved May 24, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000rv8z/