Earthquakes on December 15, 2020
424
EARTHQUAKES on December 15, 2020
24-hour UTC period · USGS data
14 km deep · 17 people felt it
Elevated activitycompared to daily average (~250/day)
Magnitude Breakdown
M5.0+
2
M4.0–4.9
27
M3.0–3.9
20
M2.0–2.9
63
M1.0–1.9
312
Activity Summary
424
Total earthquakes
~250
Daily average
Elevated
Activity level
2
M5.0+ events
Significant Earthquakes (M4.5+)
6.1
25 km S of Sarangani, Philippines
23:21 UTC · 14.0 km deep
Felt by 17
5.1
62 km NE of Norsup, Vanuatu
22:43 UTC · 120.0 km deep
Felt by 1
4.9
192 km E of Yamada, Japan
15:35 UTC · 10.0 km deep
Felt by 1
4.8
193 km SSE of Lata, Solomon Islands
07:07 UTC · 114.0 km deep
4.8
177 km E of Hihifo, Tonga
05:06 UTC · 10.0 km deep
4.7
293 km SSW of Pagar Alam, Indonesia
09:55 UTC · 10.0 km deep
4.6
south of the Fiji Islands
03:24 UTC · 522.7 km deep
4.5
12 km NNE of Tingo María, Peru
14:23 UTC · 58.4 km deep
Earthquake Map — December 15, 2020
All Earthquakes — December 15, 2020
Showing 30 of 112 (filtered from 424)
(Filtered to M2.0+. Change the magnitude filter to see smaller events.)
| Time ↓ | Mag ↕ | Location ↕ | Depth ↕ | Felt ↕ | MMI | Alert | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 23:26:01 UTC | 2.1ml | 29 km SSE of Mina, Nevada 38.144°, -117.973° | 11.2 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 2.1 seismic event took place 29 km SSE of Mina, Nevada on December 15, 2020 at 23:26 UTC. Coming 23 hours after a magnitude 4.3 earthquake in the immediate vicinity, it is most likely an aftershock of that larger rupture. See the M2.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 23:21:57 UTC | 6.1mww | 25 km S of Sarangani, Philippines 5.179°, 125.421° | 14.0 km | 17 | V | green | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 15, 2020 at 23:21 UTC, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck 25 km S of Sarangani, Philippines. The USGS PAGER system assigned a green alert level for this event, signalling no significant casualties or damage expected. It is the largest earthquake currently listed for worldwide seismic activity on December 15, 2020. See the M6.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 23:15:43 UTC | 2.0ml | 102 km SSE of Sand Point, Alaska 54.506°, -159.797° | 14.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 23:15 UTC on December 15, 2020, a magnitude 2.0 tremor occurred 102 km SSE of Sand Point, Alaska. Coming 9 hours after a magnitude 2.9 earthquake in the immediate vicinity, it is most likely an aftershock of that larger rupture. See the M2.0 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 23:13:06 UTC | 4.4mb | western Indian-Antarctic Ridge -49.112°, 121.839° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
December 15, 2020 brought a magnitude 4.4 earthquake near western Indian-Antarctic Ridge, logged at 23:13 UTC. See the M4.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 22:43:05 UTC | 5.1mb | 62 km NE of Norsup, Vanuatu -15.635°, 167.778° | 120.0 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 5.1 earthquake was recorded 62 km NE of Norsup, Vanuatu on December 15, 2020 at 22:43 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M5.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 21:33:41 UTC | 2.3ml | 10 km E of P?hala, Hawaii 19.215°, -155.383° | 31.0 km | - | - | - | Auto | USGS → |
This magnitude 2.3 event was detected 10 km E of P?hala, Hawaii on December 15, 2020, with origin time 21:33 UTC. Coming 12 hours after a magnitude 2.3 earthquake in the immediate vicinity, it is most likely an aftershock of that larger rupture. The event was offshore. See the M2.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 20:33:49 UTC | 4.4mb | Fiji region -20.884°, -178.090° | 491.9 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 15, 2020 at 20:33 UTC, a magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck in the Fiji region. This deep-focus earthquake originated far below the brittle crust, deep inside the mantle. See the M4.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 20:28:39 UTC | 2.7ml | 43 km NNW of Stanley, Idaho 44.558°, -115.208° | 12.7 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 2.7 earthquake 43 km NNW of Stanley, Idaho came in on December 15, 2020 at 20:28 UTC. See the M2.7 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 20:23:53 UTC | 2.3md | 2 km NW of Guayanilla, Puerto Rico 18.036°, -66.805° | 16.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 2.3 earthquake was recorded 2 km NW of Guayanilla, Puerto Rico on December 15, 2020 at 20:23 UTC. It arrived roughly 19 hours after a larger magnitude 3.0 mainshock in the same 20 km area, placing it within the typical aftershock window. The event was offshore. See the M2.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 20:23:37 UTC | 2.4md | 16 km SW of Fairview, Wyoming 42.579°, -111.119° | -2.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
December 15, 2020 brought a magnitude 2.4 earthquake 16 km SW of Fairview, Wyoming, logged at 20:23 UTC. This very shallow event was close enough to the surface that even modest magnitudes can produce significant local shaking. See the M2.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 20:11:18 UTC | 4.2mb | 26 km SSE of Wawina, Honduras 15.189°, -84.360° | 11.7 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 4.2 earthquake was recorded 26 km SSE of Wawina, Honduras on December 15, 2020 at 20:11 UTC. See the M4.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 20:11:17 UTC | 3.7md | 14 km SW of Salvaleón de Higüey, Dominican Republic 18.522°, -68.800° | 111.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 3.7 earthquake was recorded 14 km SW of Salvaleón de Higüey, Dominican Republic on December 15, 2020 at 20:11 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M3.7 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 19:51:09 UTC | 2.2ml | 24 km S of Mina, Nevada 38.168°, -118.092° | 3.4 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
December 15, 2020 brought a magnitude 2.2 earthquake 24 km S of Mina, Nevada, logged at 19:51 UTC. Coming 19 hours after a magnitude 4.3 earthquake in the immediate vicinity, it is most likely an aftershock of that larger rupture. This very shallow event was close enough to the surface that even modest magnitudes can produce significant local shaking. See the M2.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 19:44:12 UTC | 2.1md | 4 km SSW of Indios, Puerto Rico 17.955°, -66.840° | 15.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
This magnitude 2.1 event was detected 4 km SSW of Indios, Puerto Rico on December 15, 2020, with origin time 19:44 UTC. It arrived roughly 1 hours after a larger magnitude 3.1 mainshock in the same 20 km area, placing it within the typical aftershock window. See the M2.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 19:31:16 UTC | 3.1md | 5 km E of La Parguera, Puerto Rico 17.967°, -66.994° | 13.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 3.1 earthquake 5 km E of La Parguera, Puerto Rico came in on December 15, 2020 at 19:31 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M3.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 19:12:04 UTC | 2.2ml | 45 km NW of Stanley, Idaho 44.554°, -115.254° | 7.9 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 2.2 earthquake 45 km NW of Stanley, Idaho came in on December 15, 2020 at 19:12 UTC. It arrived roughly 1 hours after a larger magnitude 2.3 mainshock in the same 20 km area, placing it within the typical aftershock window. The event was offshore. See the M2.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 18:55:57 UTC | 4.2mb | 236 km W of Tual, Indonesia -6.043°, 130.657° | 118.3 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 4.2 earthquake 236 km W of Tual, Indonesia with origin time 18:55 UTC on December 15, 2020. The event was offshore. See the M4.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 18:38:13 UTC | 2.5ml | 93 km SSW of Adak, Alaska 51.167°, -177.357° | 42.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
December 15, 2020 brought a magnitude 2.5 earthquake 93 km SSW of Adak, Alaska, logged at 18:38 UTC. See the M2.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 18:35:29 UTC | 2.0md | 0 km E of Potala Pastillo, Puerto Rico 17.991°, -66.490° | 6.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 15, 2020, worldwide seismic activity registered a magnitude 2.0 earthquake 0 km E of Potala Pastillo, Puerto Rico at 18:35 UTC. This event falls inside the aftershock decay of a nearby magnitude 3.3 earthquake that occurred about 18 hours earlier. The event was offshore. See the M2.0 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 18:31:58 UTC | 4.3mb | 96 km SE of Padangsidempuan, Indonesia 0.861°, 99.974° | 40.6 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 4.3 earthquake 96 km SE of Padangsidempuan, Indonesia with origin time 18:31 UTC on December 15, 2020. The event was offshore. See the M4.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 18:30:55 UTC | 2.3ml | southern Idaho 44.566°, -115.249° | 4.2 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 2.3 earthquake near southern Idaho with origin time 18:30 UTC on December 15, 2020. This very shallow event was close enough to the surface that even modest magnitudes can produce significant local shaking. See the M2.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 18:26:14 UTC | 2.0md | 28km SE of Bodie, CA 38.038°, -118.783° | 9.7 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 2.0 earthquake 28km SE of Bodie, CA with origin time 18:26 UTC on December 15, 2020. The event was offshore. See the M2.0 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 18:03:51 UTC | 2.0ml | 67 km SE of Adak, Alaska 51.424°, -175.981° | 23.3 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 2.0 earthquake 67 km SE of Adak, Alaska at 18:03 UTC on December 15, 2020. The event was offshore. See the M2.0 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 16:27:13 UTC | 3.2ml | 0 km NNE of Enetai, Washington 47.593°, -122.593° | 25.9 km | 543 | II | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 16:27 UTC on December 15, 2020, a magnitude 3.2 tremor occurred 0 km NNE of Enetai, Washington. In the 72 hours after this event, the USGS recorded 8 smaller earthquakes within 20 km, consistent with an ongoing aftershock sequence rooted here. See the M3.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 16:19:49 UTC | 2.5ml | 240 km WSW of Adak, Alaska 51.409°, 179.968° | 15.2 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 15, 2020 at 16:19 UTC, a magnitude 2.5 earthquake struck 240 km WSW of Adak, Alaska. See the M2.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 15:47:19 UTC | 4.2mb | Fiji region -17.405°, -177.200° | 404.9 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 15, 2020, worldwide seismic activity registered a magnitude 4.2 earthquake in the Fiji region at 15:47 UTC. This deep-focus earthquake originated far below the brittle crust, deep inside the mantle. See the M4.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 15:42:10 UTC | 2.8md | 3 km ESE of Palomas, Puerto Rico 18.008°, -66.845° | 12.0 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 2.8 earthquake 3 km ESE of Palomas, Puerto Rico at 15:42 UTC on December 15, 2020. This event falls inside the aftershock decay of a nearby magnitude 3.0 earthquake that occurred about 14 hours earlier. See the M2.8 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 15:38:41 UTC | 4.4mb | 3 km WSW of Tandag, Philippines 9.067°, 126.165° | 36.6 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 4.4 earthquake was recorded 3 km WSW of Tandag, Philippines on December 15, 2020 at 15:38 UTC. See the M4.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 15:35:15 UTC | 4.9mb | 192 km E of Yamada, Japan 39.154°, 144.143° | 10.0 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 4.9 earthquake 192 km E of Yamada, Japan with origin time 15:35 UTC on December 15, 2020. The event was offshore. See the M4.9 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-15 2020-12-15 15:12:37 UTC | 2.4md | 3 km NNE of Potala Pastillo, Puerto Rico 18.016°, -66.485° | 7.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 15, 2020 at 15:12 UTC, a magnitude 2.4 earthquake struck 3 km NNE of Potala Pastillo, Puerto Rico. Coming 15 hours after a magnitude 3.3 earthquake in the immediate vicinity, it is most likely an aftershock of that larger rupture. See the M2.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
Legend:
Mag: Magnitude (magType = ml, mb, mw, etc.)
Felt: Number of DYFI felt reports
MMI: Modified Mercalli Intensity (I-X+)
Alert: PAGER alert level
Depth: Shallow (<70km), Intermediate, Deep (>300km)
Status: Auto = preliminary, Reviewed = verified by seismologist
Click any row to see additional technical details.
About This Page
This page shows all earthquakes recorded by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program during the 24-hour UTC period on December 15, 2020. Data includes all events of magnitude 1.0 or greater. Past earthquake data is considered final after review by USGS seismologists.