M4.5 Earthquake near Reykjanes Ridge — December 22, 2025
2025-12-22 22:28:28 UTC (2025-12-22) · approx. 8:28 PM UTC-2 local
Aftershock of the M5.0 mainshock.
On December 22, 2025 at 22:28 UTC, a magnitude 4.5 shallow crustal earthquake struck near Reykjanes Ridge, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 59.8337°, -30.0607°. This earthquake was detected by 40 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 312, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 85 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 767 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 5.0 mainshock that occurred 4 days ago near Reykjanes Ridge. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 7 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
Earthquake Details
-30.0607°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.5 earthquake near Reykjanes Ridge?
The magnitude 4.5 earthquake that struck near Reykjanes Ridge on December 22, 2025 at 22:28 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 59.8337°, -30.0607°, which is near Reykjanes Ridge.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.5 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.0 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.5 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.0 mainshock that occurred earlier near Reykjanes Ridge. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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.
Actions
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000rpy3). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, December 22, 2025). M4.5 Earthquake near Reykjanes Ridge — December 22, 2025. Retrieved March 19, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000rpy3/