Earthquakes on December 21, 2020
301
EARTHQUAKES on December 21, 2020
24-hour UTC period · USGS data
10 km deep
Elevated activitycompared to daily average (~250/day)
Magnitude Breakdown
M5.0+
2
M4.0–4.9
34
M3.0–3.9
12
M2.0–2.9
60
M1.0–1.9
193
Activity Summary
301
Total earthquakes
~250
Daily average
Elevated
Activity level
2
M5.0+ events
Geographic Breakdown
Top Countries (International)
Significant Earthquakes (M4.5+)
5.7
241 km SSE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna
17:08 UTC · 10.0 km deep
5.0
Kermadec Islands, New Zealand
20:07 UTC · 21.5 km deep
4.9
0 km NNW of General Nakar, Philippines
18:14 UTC · 37.9 km deep
Felt by 93
4.9
south of the Fiji Islands
10:32 UTC · 450.8 km deep
4.9
160 km NE of Neiafu, Tonga
03:42 UTC · 10.0 km deep
4.8
266 km WSW of Tual, Indonesia
12:33 UTC · 85.2 km deep
4.7
Mid-Indian Ridge
18:18 UTC · 10.0 km deep
4.7
99 km SW of Abepura, Indonesia
11:49 UTC · 63.7 km deep
Earthquake Map — December 21, 2020
All Earthquakes — December 21, 2020
Showing 30 of 108 (filtered from 301)
(Filtered to M2.0+. Change the magnitude filter to see smaller events.)
| Time ↓ | Mag ↕ | Location ↕ | Depth ↕ | Felt ↕ | MMI | Alert | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 23:17:52 UTC | 2.3ml | 40 km NW of Nanwalek, Alaska 59.581°, -152.479° | 67.6 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 2.3 earthquake 40 km NW of Nanwalek, Alaska came in on December 21, 2020 at 23:17 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M2.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 22:36:12 UTC | 3.2md | 12 km S of Guánica, Puerto Rico 17.858°, -66.920° | 13.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 21, 2020, worldwide seismic activity registered a magnitude 3.2 earthquake 12 km S of Guánica, Puerto Rico at 22:36 UTC. This event falls inside the aftershock decay of a nearby magnitude 3.5 earthquake that occurred about 16 hours earlier. The event was offshore. See the M3.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 22:26:19 UTC | 2.3md | 29km SE of Bodie, CA 38.042°, -118.754° | 4.3 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
This magnitude 2.3 event was detected 29km SE of Bodie, CA on December 21, 2020, with origin time 22:26 UTC. 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. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 22:23:38 UTC | 2.0md | 9 km SE of Naalehu, Hawaii 18.997°, -155.527° | 36.8 km | - | - | - | Auto | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 2.0 earthquake 9 km SE of Naalehu, Hawaii came in on December 21, 2020 at 22:23 UTC. Coming 18 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 M2.0 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 21:48:45 UTC | 4.5mb | South Sandwich Islands region -55.837°, -27.744° | 114.8 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
December 21, 2020 brought a magnitude 4.5 earthquake in the South Sandwich Islands region, logged at 21:48 UTC. See the M4.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 21:38:32 UTC | 4.4mb | 47 km NW of Deyang, China 31.461°, 104.058° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 21, 2020, worldwide seismic activity registered a magnitude 4.4 earthquake 47 km NW of Deyang, China at 21:38 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M4.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 21:16:30 UTC | 2.3ml | 10km ENE of Coso Junction, CA 36.092°, -117.858° | 3.8 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 21:16 UTC on December 21, 2020, a magnitude 2.3 tremor occurred 10km ENE of Coso Junction, CA. 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. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 21:05:20 UTC | 2.7ml | 112 km W of Adak, Alaska 51.773°, -178.262° | 107.1 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 21, 2020, worldwide seismic activity registered a magnitude 2.7 earthquake 112 km W of Adak, Alaska at 21:05 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M2.7 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 21:04:49 UTC | 2.7ml | 19 km WNW of Stanley, Idaho 44.289°, -115.160° | 10.0 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 21:04 UTC on December 21, 2020, a magnitude 2.7 tremor occurred 19 km WNW of Stanley, Idaho. It arrived roughly 18 hours after a larger magnitude 2.8 mainshock in the same 20 km area, placing it within the typical aftershock window. See the M2.7 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 20:48:28 UTC | 2.3ml | 28 km ENE of King Cove, Alaska 55.189°, -161.938° | 115.4 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 2.3 seismic event took place 28 km ENE of King Cove, Alaska on December 21, 2020 at 20:48 UTC. See the M2.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 20:07:56 UTC | 5.0mww | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand -29.459°, -177.136° | 21.5 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 5.0 earthquake was recorded near Kermadec Islands, New Zealand on December 21, 2020 at 20:07 UTC. See the M5.0 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 19:58:13 UTC | 4.2mb | 143 km E of Lospalos, Timor Leste -8.490°, 128.304° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 4.2 earthquake 143 km E of Lospalos, Timor Leste came in on December 21, 2020 at 19:58 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M4.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 19:54:30 UTC | 3.1ml | 95 km SSE of Sand Point, Alaska 54.586°, -159.772° | 21.8 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 19:54 UTC on December 21, 2020, a magnitude 3.1 tremor occurred 95 km SSE of Sand Point, Alaska. Coming 7 hours after a magnitude 3.4 earthquake in the immediate vicinity, it is most likely an aftershock of that larger rupture. See the M3.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 19:39:34 UTC | 2.3ml | 7 km SW of Volcano, Hawaii 19.397°, -155.281° | 0.4 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 2.3 earthquake 7 km SW of Volcano, Hawaii at 19:39 UTC on December 21, 2020. Coming 11 hours after a magnitude 4.4 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 M2.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 19:35:36 UTC | 2.4ml | 7 km SW of Volcano, Hawaii 19.395°, -155.284° | 0.2 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 2.4 earthquake was recorded 7 km SW of Volcano, Hawaii on December 21, 2020 at 19:35 UTC. This event falls inside the aftershock decay of a nearby magnitude 4.4 earthquake that occurred about 11 hours earlier. 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. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 19:27:26 UTC | 2.9ml | 61 km NE of Ruby, Alaska 65.154°, -154.624° | 11.8 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 2.9 seismic event took place 61 km NE of Ruby, Alaska on December 21, 2020 at 19:27 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M2.9 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 19:11:51 UTC | 4.3mb | 269 km WSW of Olonkinbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen 69.974°, -15.369° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 4.3 earthquake 269 km WSW of Olonkinbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen with origin time 19:11 UTC on December 21, 2020. See the M4.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 19:03:22 UTC | 4.0mb | 285 km WSW of Olonkinbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen 69.960°, -15.814° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 4.0 earthquake 285 km WSW of Olonkinbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen at 19:03 UTC on December 21, 2020. See the M4.0 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 18:20:58 UTC | 4.4mb | Mid-Indian Ridge -33.397°, 77.846° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 18:20 UTC on December 21, 2020, a magnitude 4.4 tremor occurred near Mid-Indian Ridge. Coming 1 hours after a magnitude 4.7 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. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 18:18:01 UTC | 4.7mb | Mid-Indian Ridge -33.264°, 77.968° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
This magnitude 4.7 event was detected near Mid-Indian Ridge on December 21, 2020, with origin time 18:18 UTC. See the M4.7 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 18:14:47 UTC | 4.9mb | 0 km NNW of General Nakar, Philippines 14.772°, 121.632° | 37.9 km | 93 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 4.9 earthquake 0 km NNW of General Nakar, Philippines with origin time 18:14 UTC on December 21, 2020. See the M4.9 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 17:54:24 UTC | 3.2ml | 43 km ESE of Akutan, Alaska 54.005°, -165.143° | 75.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 3.2 earthquake 43 km ESE of Akutan, Alaska with origin time 17:54 UTC on December 21, 2020. See the M3.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 17:49:47 UTC | 2.1ml | 44 km ESE of Nikolski, Alaska 52.775°, -168.258° | 41.7 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 21, 2020, worldwide seismic activity registered a magnitude 2.1 earthquake 44 km ESE of Nikolski, Alaska at 17:49 UTC. It arrived roughly 2 hours after a larger magnitude 3.8 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. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 17:46:24 UTC | 4.4mb | 294 km W of Haveluloto, Tonga -20.902°, -178.035° | 467.3 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 4.4 earthquake 294 km W of Haveluloto, Tonga at 17:46 UTC on December 21, 2020. 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. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 17:43:25 UTC | 3.2md | 5 km SW of Tallaboa, Puerto Rico 17.954°, -66.751° | 17.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 3.2 earthquake was recorded 5 km SW of Tallaboa, Puerto Rico on December 21, 2020 at 17:43 UTC. Coming 11 hours after a magnitude 3.5 earthquake in the immediate vicinity, it is most likely an aftershock of that larger rupture. The event was offshore. See the M3.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 17:08:55 UTC | 5.7mww | 241 km SSE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna -16.399°, -177.462° | 10.0 km | - | III | green | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 21, 2020 at 17:08 UTC, a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck 241 km SSE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna. 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 21, 2020. See the M5.7 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 16:38:39 UTC | 2.5ml | 18km W of Delta, B.C., MX 32.334°, -115.386° | 14.8 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
December 21, 2020 brought a magnitude 2.5 earthquake 18km W of Delta, B.C., MX, logged at 16:38 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M2.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 16:30:23 UTC | 4.5mb | 96 km ESE of Gualaquiza, Ecuador -3.631°, -77.742° | 47.1 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 21, 2020 at 16:30 UTC, a magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck 96 km ESE of Gualaquiza, Ecuador. See the M4.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 16:28:50 UTC | 4.4mb | 71 km SW of Champerico, Guatemala 13.825°, -92.363° | 7.4 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
This magnitude 4.4 event was detected 71 km SW of Champerico, Guatemala on December 21, 2020, with origin time 16:28 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M4.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 16:27:57 UTC | 4.2mb | Greenland Sea 73.009°, 5.705° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 4.2 seismic event took place near Greenland Sea on December 21, 2020 at 16:27 UTC. See the M4.2 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 21, 2020. Data includes all events of magnitude 1.0 or greater. Past earthquake data is considered final after review by USGS seismologists.