5.0

M5.0 Earthquake near Norwegian SeaDecember 24, 2025

2025-12-24 22:37:31 UTC (2025-12-24) · approx. 10:37 PM UTC+0 local

MagnitudeM5.0(mww)
Time22:37 UTC10:37 PM UTC+0
Depth10.0 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates72.124°, 1.162°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On December 24, 2025 at 22:37 UTC, a magnitude 5.0 shallow crustal earthquake struck near Norwegian Sea, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 72.1242°, 1.1624°. This earthquake was detected by 128 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 385, placing it among routine seismic activity.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.0 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 477 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.7 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 72.12°, 1.16°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
5.0 mww
Depth
10.0 km
shallow crustal
Location
72.1242°N
1.1624°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us7000rkmg
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
385
Stations Used
128
Azimuthal Gap
66.0°
Min Station Distance
7.193°
RMS Residual
0.62 sec
Last Updated
2026-04-01 22:48:05 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 5.0 earthquake near Norwegian Sea?

The magnitude 5.0 earthquake that struck near Norwegian Sea on December 24, 2025 at 22:37 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 72.1242°, 1.1624°, which is near Norwegian Sea.

Were there aftershocks?

Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.0 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks 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: us7000rkmg). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, December 24, 2025). M5.0 Earthquake near Norwegian SeaDecember 24, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000rkmg/