M4.7 Earthquake 273 km N of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands — December 21, 2025
2025-12-21 22:26:59 UTC (2025-12-21) · approx. 8:26 AM UTC+10 local
On December 21, 2025 at 22:26 UTC, a magnitude 4.7 intermediate depth earthquake struck 273 km N of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, at a depth of 153.1 km and coordinates 17.6585°, 146.1456°. This earthquake was detected by 71 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 340, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.7 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 169 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.1 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
146.1456°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.7 earthquake near Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands?
The magnitude 4.7 earthquake that struck 273 km N of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands on December 21, 2025 at 22:26 UTC had a depth of 153.1 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 17.6585°, 146.1456°, which is 273 km N of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.7 earthquakes can continue for several days 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: us6000rwe1). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, December 21, 2025). M4.7 Earthquake 273 km N of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands — December 21, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000rwe1/