5.1

M5.1 Earthquake 264 km S of Severo-Kuril’sk, RussiaSeptember 20, 2025

2025-09-20 01:28:36 UTC (2025-09-20) · approx. 11:28 AM UTC+10 local

MagnitudeM5.1(mb)
Time01:28 UTC11:28 AM UTC+10
Depth10.0 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates48.338°, 155.472°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On September 20, 2025 at 01:28 UTC, a magnitude 5.1 shallow crustal earthquake struck 264 km S of Severo-Kuril’sk, Russia, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 48.3376°, 155.4721°. This earthquake was detected by 61 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 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

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 48.34°, 155.47°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
5.1 mb
Depth
10.0 km
shallow crustal
Location
48.3376°N
155.4721°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us7000qxhz
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
400
Stations Used
61
Azimuthal Gap
95.0°
Min Station Distance
4.981°
RMS Residual
1.01 sec
Last Updated
2025-12-06 16:00:24 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 5.1 earthquake near Severo-Kuril’sk, Russia?

The magnitude 5.1 earthquake that struck 264 km S of Severo-Kuril’sk, Russia on September 20, 2025 at 01:28 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 48.3376°, 155.4721°, which is 264 km S 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 5.1 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks 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 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: us7000qxhz). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, September 20, 2025). M5.1 Earthquake 264 km S of Severo-Kuril’sk, RussiaSeptember 20, 2025. Retrieved May 28, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000qxhz/