M4.8 Earthquake 250 km SSE of Severo-Kuril’sk, Russia — December 18, 2025
2025-12-18 22:52:09 UTC (2025-12-18) · approx. 8:52 AM UTC+10 local
On December 18, 2025 at 22:52 UTC, a magnitude 4.8 shallow crustal earthquake struck 250 km SSE of Severo-Kuril’sk, Russia, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 48.5464°, 157.2603°. This earthquake was detected by 93 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 354, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.8 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 239 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.2 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
The epicenter is located in Russia, a region characterized by the Kuril-Kamchatka subduction zone on the northwestern Pacific Ring of Fire. The nearest mapped fault system is the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench. View all earthquakes in Russia.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
157.2603°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.8 earthquake near Severo-Kuril’sk, Russia?
The magnitude 4.8 earthquake that struck 250 km SSE of Severo-Kuril’sk, Russia on December 18, 2025 at 22:52 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 48.5464°, 157.2603°, which is 250 km SSE of Severo-Kuril’sk, Russia. View all earthquakes in Russia.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.8 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Has Russia had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in Russia was the M9.0 Kamchatka earthquake of November 4, 1952. Today's magnitude 4.8 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: us6000rvvd). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, December 18, 2025). M4.8 Earthquake 250 km SSE of Severo-Kuril’sk, Russia — December 18, 2025. Retrieved May 24, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000rvvd/