4.6

M4.6 Earthquake 47 km SE of Onagawa Chō, JapanNovember 30, 2025

2025-11-30 17:25:49 UTC (2025-11-30) · approx. 2:25 AM UTC+9 local

MagnitudeM4.6(mwr)
Time17:25 UTC2:25 AM UTC+9
Depth54.9 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates38.197°, 141.895°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On November 30, 2025 at 17:25 UTC, a magnitude 4.6 shallow crustal earthquake struck 47 km SE of Onagawa Chō, Japan, at a depth of 54.9 km and coordinates 38.1966°, 141.8948°. This earthquake was detected by 107 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 326, placing it among routine seismic activity.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.6 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 120 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 899 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

The epicenter is located in Japan, a region characterized by the intersection of four tectonic plates — Pacific, Philippine Sea, Eurasian, and North American — creating multiple subduction zones. The nearest mapped fault system is the Japan Trench. View all earthquakes in Japan.

Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 38.20°, 141.89°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.6 mwr
Depth
54.9 km
shallow crustal
Location
38.1966°N
141.8948°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us7000rern
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
326
Stations Used
107
Azimuthal Gap
96.0°
Min Station Distance
2.668°
RMS Residual
0.77 sec
Last Updated
2026-02-25 16:18:39 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.6 earthquake near Onagawa Chō, Japan?

The magnitude 4.6 earthquake that struck 47 km SE of Onagawa Chō, Japan on November 30, 2025 at 17:25 UTC had a depth of 54.9 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.

Where did the earthquake occur?

The earthquake epicenter was located at 38.1966°, 141.8948°, which is 47 km SE of Onagawa Chō, Japan. View all earthquakes in Japan.

Were there aftershocks?

Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.6 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.

Has Japan had earthquakes this big before?

The largest recorded earthquake in Japan was the M9.1 Tohoku earthquake of March 11, 2011. Today's magnitude 4.6 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: us7000rern). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, November 30, 2025). M4.6 Earthquake 47 km SE of Onagawa Chō, JapanNovember 30, 2025. Retrieved May 24, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000rern/