M4.7 Earthquake 292 km WNW of Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen — September 15, 2025
2025-09-15 14:21:59 UTC (2025-09-15) · approx. 2:21 PM UTC+0 local
On September 15, 2025 at 14:21 UTC, a magnitude 4.7 shallow crustal earthquake struck 292 km WNW of Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 79.6091°, 4.0277°. This earthquake was detected by 98 seismic stations with excellent 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
4.0277°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.7 earthquake near Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen?
The magnitude 4.7 earthquake that struck 292 km WNW of Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen on September 15, 2025 at 14:21 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 79.6091°, 4.0277°, which is 292 km WNW of Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen.
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: us7000qwaq). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, September 15, 2025). M4.7 Earthquake 292 km WNW of Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen — September 15, 2025. Retrieved May 28, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000qwaq/