Earthquakes on December 15, 2021
276
EARTHQUAKES on December 15, 2021
24-hour UTC period · USGS data
LARGEST: M5.0 — South Sandwich Islands region
35 km deep
Normal activitycompared to daily average (~250/day)
Magnitude Breakdown
M5.0+
4
M4.0–4.9
52
M3.0–3.9
8
M2.0–2.9
62
M1.0–1.9
150
Activity Summary
276
Total earthquakes
~250
Daily average
Normal
Activity level
4
M5.0+ events
Significant Earthquakes (M4.5+)
5.0
South Sandwich Islands region
16:34 UTC · 35.0 km deep
5.0
33 km ENE of Santa Monica, Philippines
13:11 UTC · 35.0 km deep
Felt by 1
5.0
55 km NE of Masjed Soleym?n, Iran
08:21 UTC · 10.0 km deep
Felt by 3
5.0
south of the Fiji Islands
07:14 UTC · 472.8 km deep
4.9
26 km NNE of Tankhoy, Russia
13:44 UTC · 10.0 km deep
Felt by 7
4.9
Flores Sea
04:53 UTC · 10.0 km deep
4.9
Izu Islands, Japan region
00:40 UTC · 10.0 km deep
4.8
30 km SE of Kencong, Indonesia
23:01 UTC · 29.4 km deep
Felt by 19
Earthquake Map — December 15, 2021
All Earthquakes — December 15, 2021
Showing 30 of 126 (filtered from 276)
(Filtered to M2.0+. Change the magnitude filter to see smaller events.)
| Time ↓ | Mag ↕ | Location ↕ | Depth ↕ | Felt ↕ | MMI | Alert | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 23:38:19 UTC | 4.4mb | southeast of the Loyalty Islands -23.057°, 172.099° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 4.4 earthquake southeast of the Loyalty Islands at 23:38 UTC on December 15, 2021. See the M4.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 23:26:01 UTC | 4.6mb | Pacific-Antarctic Ridge -58.040°, -146.621° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 4.6 seismic event took place near Pacific-Antarctic Ridge on December 15, 2021 at 23:26 UTC. See the M4.6 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 23:15:55 UTC | 2.0md | 49 km SE of Naalehu, Hawaii 18.735°, -155.270° | 8.7 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 15, 2021 at 23:15 UTC, a magnitude 2.0 earthquake struck 49 km SE of Naalehu, Hawaii. It arrived roughly 7 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 M2.0 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 23:01:33 UTC | 4.8mb | 30 km SE of Kencong, Indonesia -8.491°, 113.551° | 29.4 km | 19 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 4.8 earthquake 30 km SE of Kencong, Indonesia came in on December 15, 2021 at 23:01 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M4.8 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 22:24:01 UTC | 4.7mb | 154 km NNE of Ruteng, Indonesia -7.363°, 121.090° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 15, 2021 at 22:24 UTC, a magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck 154 km NNE of Ruteng, Indonesia. See the M4.7 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 22:21:02 UTC | 3.6ml | 14 km ENE of Gardendale, Texas 32.064°, -102.238° | 9.8 km | 100 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 3.6 earthquake 14 km ENE of Gardendale, Texas came in on December 15, 2021 at 22:21 UTC. See the M3.6 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 22:06:34 UTC | 4.3mb | 112 km W of La Libertad, Mexico 29.793°, -113.848° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
December 15, 2021 brought a magnitude 4.3 earthquake 112 km W of La Libertad, Mexico, logged at 22:06 UTC. It arrived roughly 11 hours after a larger magnitude 4.8 mainshock in the same 20 km area, placing it within the typical aftershock window. The event was offshore. See the M4.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 22:02:21 UTC | 2.5ml | 46 km SE of Naalehu, Hawaii 18.789°, -155.253° | 31.7 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 2.5 earthquake was recorded 46 km SE of Naalehu, Hawaii on December 15, 2021 at 22:02 UTC. It arrived roughly 4 hours after a larger magnitude 3.1 mainshock in the same 20 km area, placing it within the typical aftershock window. The event was offshore. See the M2.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 21:52:06 UTC | 2.2ml | 46km NE of Holtville, CA 33.073°, -114.999° | -0.3 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 2.2 earthquake 46km NE of Holtville, CA at 21:52 UTC on December 15, 2021. 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. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 21:35:11 UTC | 4.5mb | Izu Islands, Japan region 31.013°, 142.317° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 21:35 UTC on December 15, 2021, a magnitude 4.5 tremor occurred in the Izu Islands, Japan region. It arrived roughly 21 hours after a larger magnitude 4.9 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. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 21:29:04 UTC | 4.8mb | Izu Islands, Japan region 30.991°, 142.075° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 4.8 seismic event took place in the Izu Islands, Japan region on December 15, 2021 at 21:29 UTC. Coming 21 hours after a magnitude 4.9 earthquake in the immediate vicinity, it is most likely an aftershock of that larger rupture. See the M4.8 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 21:07:48 UTC | 2.7ml | 1 km NW of Lewiston Orchards, Idaho 46.393°, -116.988° | -2.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 21:07 UTC on December 15, 2021, a magnitude 2.7 tremor occurred 1 km NW of Lewiston Orchards, Idaho. This very shallow event was close enough to the surface that even modest magnitudes can produce significant local shaking. See the M2.7 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 21:01:29 UTC | 2.6ml | 14 km SE of Point Possession, Alaska 60.847°, -150.477° | 48.4 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 2.6 seismic event took place 14 km SE of Point Possession, Alaska on December 15, 2021 at 21:01 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M2.6 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 20:41:30 UTC | 2.2md | 6 km WNW of Powhatan, Arkansas 36.111°, -91.181° | 1.1 km | 6 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
December 15, 2021 brought a magnitude 2.2 earthquake 6 km WNW of Powhatan, Arkansas, logged at 20:41 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. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 20:35:51 UTC | 2.2md | 0 km SE of P?hala, Hawaii 19.200°, -155.476° | 32.7 km | - | - | - | Auto | USGS → |
A magnitude 2.2 earthquake was recorded 0 km SE of P?hala, Hawaii on December 15, 2021 at 20:35 UTC. It arrived roughly 6 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 M2.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 20:04:50 UTC | 2.2md | 43 km ESE of Naalehu, Hawaii 18.900°, -155.203° | 9.2 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 15, 2021, worldwide seismic activity registered a magnitude 2.2 earthquake 43 km ESE of Naalehu, Hawaii at 20:04 UTC. This event falls inside the aftershock decay of a nearby magnitude 3.1 earthquake that occurred about 2 hours earlier. See the M2.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 19:21:33 UTC | 2.0md | 2 km SSE of P?hala, Hawaii 19.181°, -155.471° | 35.3 km | - | - | - | Auto | USGS → |
A magnitude 2.0 seismic event took place 2 km SSE of P?hala, Hawaii on December 15, 2021 at 19:21 UTC. This event falls inside the aftershock decay of a nearby magnitude 2.6 earthquake that occurred about 5 hours earlier. See the M2.0 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 19:19:22 UTC | 2.3ml | 55 km NNE of Kobuk, Alaska 67.332°, -156.212° | 16.3 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 2.3 seismic event took place 55 km NNE of Kobuk, Alaska on December 15, 2021 at 19:19 UTC. See the M2.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 19:09:18 UTC | 2.8ml | 69 km WNW of Ninilchik, Alaska 60.389°, -152.728° | 133.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 15, 2021 at 19:09 UTC, a magnitude 2.8 earthquake struck 69 km WNW of Ninilchik, Alaska. See the M2.8 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 18:58:16 UTC | 4.6mb | Izu Islands, Japan region 31.356°, 142.262° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
December 15, 2021 brought a magnitude 4.6 earthquake in the Izu Islands, Japan region, logged at 18:58 UTC. This event falls inside the aftershock decay of a nearby magnitude 4.7 earthquake that occurred about 15 hours earlier. See the M4.6 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 18:54:19 UTC | 2.2ml | 6 km E of P?hala, Hawaii 19.212°, -155.422° | 33.2 km | - | - | - | Auto | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 2.2 earthquake 6 km E of P?hala, Hawaii with origin time 18:54 UTC on December 15, 2021. It arrived roughly 4 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 M2.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 18:49:13 UTC | 4.6mb | western Indian-Antarctic Ridge -49.095°, 121.364° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 15, 2021 at 18:49 UTC, a magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck near western Indian-Antarctic Ridge. See the M4.6 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 18:47:53 UTC | 4.7mb | 76 km N of Ishigaki, Japan 25.038°, 124.095° | 93.8 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 4.7 earthquake was recorded 76 km N of Ishigaki, Japan on December 15, 2021 at 18:47 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M4.7 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 18:33:37 UTC | 2.5ml | 7km W of Searles Valley, CA 35.777°, -117.476° | 6.8 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
This magnitude 2.5 event was detected 7km W of Searles Valley, CA on December 15, 2021, with origin time 18:33 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M2.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 18:32:04 UTC | 2.9md | 47 km N of Suárez, Puerto Rico 18.853°, -65.778° | 43.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 2.9 earthquake 47 km N of Suárez, Puerto Rico came in on December 15, 2021 at 18:32 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M2.9 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 18:17:48 UTC | 3.1mb_lg | 7 km SW of Gypsum, Kansas 38.669°, -97.494° | 5.0 km | 10 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 15, 2021 at 18:17 UTC, a magnitude 3.1 earthquake struck 7 km SW of Gypsum, Kansas. It arrived roughly 8 hours after a larger magnitude 4.0 mainshock in the same 20 km area, placing it within the typical aftershock window. The event was offshore. See the M3.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 18:13:46 UTC | 3.1md | 44 km ESE of Naalehu, Hawaii 18.905°, -155.197° | 6.4 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 15, 2021, worldwide seismic activity registered a magnitude 3.1 earthquake 44 km ESE of Naalehu, Hawaii at 18:13 UTC. In the 72 hours after this event, the USGS recorded 4 smaller earthquakes within 20 km, consistent with an ongoing aftershock sequence rooted here. See the M3.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 18:01:37 UTC | 2.1md | 53 km SE of Naalehu, Hawaii 18.681°, -155.275° | 5.7 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 2.1 earthquake 53 km SE of Naalehu, Hawaii at 18:01 UTC on December 15, 2021. This event falls inside the aftershock decay of a nearby magnitude 3.0 earthquake that occurred about 2 hours earlier. The event was offshore. See the M2.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 17:42:37 UTC | 4.5mb | 133 km NNW of Maumere, Indonesia -7.569°, 121.618° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 4.5 earthquake 133 km NNW of Maumere, Indonesia at 17:42 UTC on December 15, 2021. See the M4.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-15 2021-12-15 17:33:23 UTC | 4.7mb | 150 km NNW of Caluula, Somalia 13.266°, 50.336° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 4.7 earthquake 150 km NNW of Caluula, Somalia with origin time 17:33 UTC on December 15, 2021. See the M4.7 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, 2021. Data includes all events of magnitude 1.0 or greater. Past earthquake data is considered final after review by USGS seismologists.