M4.6 Earthquake 223 km NNE of Palu, Indonesia — December 22, 2025
2025-12-22 18:45:41 UTC (2025-12-22) · approx. 2:45 AM UTC+8 local
On December 22, 2025 at 18:45 UTC, a magnitude 4.6 deep-focus earthquake struck 223 km NNE of Palu, Indonesia, at a depth of 596.7 km and coordinates 0.9916°, 120.5479°. This earthquake was detected by 78 seismic stations with excellent 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 Indonesia, a region characterized by the convergence of the Indo-Australian, Eurasian, and Philippine Sea plates, forming the Sunda-Banda arc system. The nearest mapped fault system is the Sunda megathrust. View all earthquakes in Indonesia.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
120.5479°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.6 earthquake near Palu, Indonesia?
The magnitude 4.6 earthquake that struck 223 km NNE of Palu, Indonesia on December 22, 2025 at 18:45 UTC had a depth of 596.7 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 0.9916°, 120.5479°, which is 223 km NNE of Palu, Indonesia. View all earthquakes in Indonesia.
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 Indonesia had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in Indonesia was the M9.1 Indian Ocean earthquake of December 26, 2004. 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: us7000rk5u). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, December 22, 2025). M4.6 Earthquake 223 km NNE of Palu, Indonesia — December 22, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000rk5u/