Earthquakes on December 18, 2020
324
EARTHQUAKES on December 18, 2020
24-hour UTC period · USGS data
42 km deep
Elevated activitycompared to daily average (~250/day)
Magnitude Breakdown
M5.0+
2
M4.0–4.9
31
M3.0–3.9
9
M2.0–2.9
97
M1.0–1.9
185
Activity Summary
324
Total earthquakes
~250
Daily average
Elevated
Activity level
2
M5.0+ events
Significant Earthquakes (M4.5+)
5.2
55 km WNW of Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea
10:16 UTC · 41.5 km deep
5.1
south of the Kermadec Islands
20:49 UTC · 35.7 km deep
4.9
South Sandwich Islands region
17:22 UTC · 42.6 km deep
4.9
46 km ESE of Shimoda, Japan
09:09 UTC · 10.0 km deep
Felt by 2
4.8
42 km SE of Shimoda, Japan
11:36 UTC · 10.0 km deep
4.6
49 km SE of Lajes das Flores, Portugal
21:50 UTC · 10.0 km deep
4.6
80 km ESE of Lajes das Flores, Portugal
21:38 UTC · 10.0 km deep
4.6
110 km SE of Lajes das Flores, Portugal
21:30 UTC · 10.0 km deep
Earthquake Map — December 18, 2020
All Earthquakes — December 18, 2020
Showing 30 of 139 (filtered from 324)
(Filtered to M2.0+. Change the magnitude filter to see smaller events.)
| Time ↓ | Mag ↕ | Location ↕ | Depth ↕ | Felt ↕ | MMI | Alert | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 23:54:28 UTC | 2.5ml | 10 km SSE of Volcano, Hawaii 19.355°, -155.204° | 0.3 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 2.5 earthquake 10 km SSE of Volcano, Hawaii at 23:54 UTC on December 18, 2020. Coming 15 hours after a magnitude 2.9 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 M2.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 23:50:05 UTC | 2.5md | 10km NW of Pinnacles, CA 36.607°, -121.213° | 5.3 km | 7 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 18, 2020, worldwide seismic activity registered a magnitude 2.5 earthquake 10km NW of Pinnacles, CA at 23:50 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M2.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 23:22:37 UTC | 2.1ml | 112 km SSE of Sand Point, Alaska 54.421°, -159.749° | 13.2 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 18, 2020, worldwide seismic activity registered a magnitude 2.1 earthquake 112 km SSE of Sand Point, Alaska at 23:22 UTC. Coming 20 hours after a magnitude 3.0 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. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 23:20:14 UTC | 2.0ml | 116 km SSE of Sand Point, Alaska 54.408°, -159.651° | 20.5 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 2.0 earthquake 116 km SSE of Sand Point, Alaska at 23:20 UTC on December 18, 2020. It arrived roughly 20 hours after a larger magnitude 3.0 mainshock in the same 20 km area, placing it within the typical aftershock window. See the M2.0 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 23:20:06 UTC | 4.2mb | 196 km S of Shimoda, Japan 32.910°, 139.093° | 205.3 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 4.2 earthquake 196 km S of Shimoda, Japan came in on December 18, 2020 at 23:20 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M4.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 23:18:03 UTC | 2.1ml | 111 km SSE of Sand Point, Alaska 54.463°, -159.643° | 16.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 23:18 UTC on December 18, 2020, a magnitude 2.1 tremor occurred 111 km SSE of Sand Point, Alaska. It arrived roughly 20 hours after a larger magnitude 3.0 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. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 23:03:19 UTC | 2.1ml | 7km WSW of Anza, CA 33.524°, -116.736° | 2.8 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 2.1 earthquake was recorded 7km WSW of Anza, CA on December 18, 2020 at 23:03 UTC. This very shallow event was close enough to the surface that even modest magnitudes can produce significant local shaking. See the M2.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 23:03:00 UTC | 3.2ml | 49 km SE of Nikolski, Alaska 52.690°, -168.255° | 35.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
December 18, 2020 brought a magnitude 3.2 earthquake 49 km SE of Nikolski, Alaska, logged at 23:03 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M3.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 22:48:08 UTC | 3.7md | 13 km SSW of Cruz Bay, U.S. Virgin Islands 18.218°, -64.844° | 142.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 3.7 earthquake 13 km SSW of Cruz Bay, U.S. Virgin Islands at 22:48 UTC on December 18, 2020. See the M3.7 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 22:44:44 UTC | 2.0ml | Alaska Peninsula 58.092°, -156.961° | 7.1 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
This magnitude 2.0 event was detected near Alaska Peninsula on December 18, 2020, with origin time 22:44 UTC. See the M2.0 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 22:33:29 UTC | 2.9ml | 49 km W of Nanwalek, Alaska 59.353°, -152.800° | 71.7 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 2.9 earthquake 49 km W of Nanwalek, Alaska with origin time 22:33 UTC on December 18, 2020. The event was offshore. See the M2.9 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 22:20:22 UTC | 2.5ml | 16 km SE of Fern Forest, Hawaii 19.349°, -155.035° | 2.4 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
This magnitude 2.5 event was detected 16 km SE of Fern Forest, Hawaii on December 18, 2020, with origin time 22:20 UTC. It arrived roughly 14 hours after a larger magnitude 2.9 mainshock in the same 20 km area, placing it within the typical aftershock window. This very shallow event was close enough to the surface that even modest magnitudes can produce significant local shaking. See the M2.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 22:14:47 UTC | 2.0ml | 6 km S of Princeton, Canada 49.398°, -120.522° | -0.4 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 2.0 earthquake 6 km S of Princeton, Canada with origin time 22:14 UTC on December 18, 2020. This very shallow event was close enough to the surface that even modest magnitudes can produce significant local shaking. See the M2.0 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 21:58:10 UTC | 4.4mb | 91 km E of Santa Cruz das Flores, Portugal 39.621°, -30.081° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
This magnitude 4.4 event was detected 91 km E of Santa Cruz das Flores, Portugal on December 18, 2020, with origin time 21:58 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M4.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 21:50:50 UTC | 4.6mb | 49 km SE of Lajes das Flores, Portugal 39.024°, -30.830° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 4.6 earthquake 49 km SE of Lajes das Flores, Portugal at 21:50 UTC on December 18, 2020. The event was offshore. See the M4.6 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 21:45:26 UTC | 4.5mb | 89 km ESE of Lajes das Flores, Portugal 39.008°, -30.261° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 4.5 earthquake 89 km ESE of Lajes das Flores, Portugal with origin time 21:45 UTC on December 18, 2020. It arrived roughly 1 hours after a larger magnitude 4.6 mainshock in the same 20 km area, placing it within the typical aftershock window. See the M4.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 21:42:03 UTC | 4.4mb | 89 km ESE of Lajes das Flores, Portugal 39.045°, -30.240° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 4.4 earthquake 89 km ESE of Lajes das Flores, Portugal came in on December 18, 2020 at 21:42 UTC. Coming 1 hours after a magnitude 4.6 earthquake in the immediate vicinity, it is most likely an aftershock of that larger rupture. See the M4.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 21:38:23 UTC | 4.6mb | 80 km ESE of Lajes das Flores, Portugal 39.044°, -30.355° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
This magnitude 4.6 event was detected 80 km ESE of Lajes das Flores, Portugal on December 18, 2020, with origin time 21:38 UTC. See the M4.6 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 21:35:33 UTC | 4.5mb | 88 km ESE of Lajes das Flores, Portugal 38.983°, -30.291° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 18, 2020, worldwide seismic activity registered a magnitude 4.5 earthquake 88 km ESE of Lajes das Flores, Portugal at 21:35 UTC. See the M4.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 21:34:06 UTC | 2.3ml | 136 km SSE of Sand Point, Alaska 54.210°, -159.673° | 44.6 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 2.3 earthquake 136 km SSE of Sand Point, Alaska at 21:34 UTC on December 18, 2020. This event falls inside the aftershock decay of a nearby magnitude 3.0 earthquake that occurred about 18 hours earlier. See the M2.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 21:30:09 UTC | 4.6mb | 110 km SE of Lajes das Flores, Portugal 38.656°, -30.298° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 4.6 earthquake 110 km SE of Lajes das Flores, Portugal came in on December 18, 2020 at 21:30 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M4.6 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 21:23:24 UTC | 4.6mb | 93 km ESE of Santa Cruz das Flores, Portugal 39.155°, -30.118° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 4.6 seismic event took place 93 km ESE of Santa Cruz das Flores, Portugal on December 18, 2020 at 21:23 UTC. See the M4.6 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 21:05:58 UTC | 4.1mb | Bonin Islands, Japan region 28.230°, 140.030° | 426.7 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 18, 2020 at 21:05 UTC, a magnitude 4.1 earthquake struck in the Bonin Islands, Japan region. This deep-focus earthquake originated far below the brittle crust, deep inside the mantle. See the M4.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 20:55:19 UTC | 2.1ml | 106 km SSE of Sand Point, Alaska 54.445°, -159.910° | 25.5 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 2.1 earthquake 106 km SSE of Sand Point, Alaska at 20:55 UTC on December 18, 2020. This event falls inside the aftershock decay of a nearby magnitude 2.9 earthquake that occurred about 7 hours earlier. See the M2.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 20:49:15 UTC | 5.1mww | south of the Kermadec Islands -32.644°, -178.838° | 35.7 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 5.1 earthquake was recorded south of the Kermadec Islands on December 18, 2020 at 20:49 UTC. See the M5.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 20:31:57 UTC | 2.2ml | 22 km E of Honaunau-Napoopoo, Hawaii 19.494°, -155.654° | -1.8 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 2.2 earthquake 22 km E of Honaunau-Napoopoo, Hawaii at 20:31 UTC on December 18, 2020. 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. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 19:50:18 UTC | 2.1ml | 6 km WNW of Chatcolet, Idaho 47.389°, -116.839° | -0.7 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 2.1 earthquake 6 km WNW of Chatcolet, Idaho with origin time 19:50 UTC on December 18, 2020. This very shallow event was close enough to the surface that even modest magnitudes can produce significant local shaking. See the M2.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 19:10:04 UTC | 2.2ml | 3 km ENE of Portage Creek, Alaska 58.912°, -157.659° | 4.8 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
This magnitude 2.2 event was detected 3 km ENE of Portage Creek, Alaska on December 18, 2020, with origin time 19:10 UTC. 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. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 18:58:27 UTC | 4.1mb | 59 km W of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina -24.143°, -66.895° | 195.6 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 4.1 earthquake was recorded 59 km W of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina on December 18, 2020 at 18:58 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M4.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-18 2020-12-18 18:57:12 UTC | 2.9ml | 13km SE of Olancha, CA 36.208°, -117.893° | 1.9 km | 2 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 2.9 earthquake 13km SE of Olancha, CA at 18:57 UTC on December 18, 2020. This very shallow event was close enough to the surface that even modest magnitudes can produce significant local shaking. See the M2.9 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 18, 2020. Data includes all events of magnitude 1.0 or greater. Past earthquake data is considered final after review by USGS seismologists.