Earthquakes on December 16, 2021
327
EARTHQUAKES on December 16, 2021
24-hour UTC period · USGS data
LARGEST: M6.0 — South Sandwich Islands region
15 km deep
Elevated activitycompared to daily average (~250/day)
Magnitude Breakdown
M5.0+
5
M4.0–4.9
42
M3.0–3.9
13
M2.0–2.9
86
M1.0–1.9
181
Activity Summary
327
Total earthquakes
~250
Daily average
Elevated
Activity level
5
M5.0+ events
Geographic Breakdown
By US State
Top Countries (International)
Significant Earthquakes (M4.5+)
6.0
South Sandwich Islands region
21:14 UTC · 15.0 km deep
5.6
247 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste
04:26 UTC · 10.0 km deep
5.2
277 km S of Ambon, Indonesia
11:03 UTC · 378.6 km deep
5.1
Mid-Indian Ridge
20:40 UTC · 10.0 km deep
5.0
Mid-Indian Ridge
22:20 UTC · 10.0 km deep
4.9
Kermadec Islands region
23:29 UTC · 10.0 km deep
4.9
24 km NNW of Komodo, Indonesia
13:23 UTC · 172.8 km deep
4.8
Izu Islands, Japan region
03:51 UTC · 10.0 km deep
Earthquake Map — December 16, 2021
All Earthquakes — December 16, 2021
Showing 30 of 146 (filtered from 327)
(Filtered to M2.0+. Change the magnitude filter to see smaller events.)
| Time ↓ | Mag ↕ | Location ↕ | Depth ↕ | Felt ↕ | MMI | Alert | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 23:54:27 UTC | 2.2ml | 65 km SSW of Kaktovik, Alaska 69.589°, -144.273° | 4.8 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
This magnitude 2.2 event was detected 65 km SSW of Kaktovik, Alaska on December 16, 2021, with origin time 23:54 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. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 23:41:44 UTC | 2.1ml | 42 km ESE of Pedro Bay, Alaska 59.588°, -153.454° | 114.7 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 16, 2021 at 23:41 UTC, a magnitude 2.1 earthquake struck 42 km ESE of Pedro Bay, Alaska. See the M2.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 23:38:35 UTC | 3.1ml | 7 km E of P?hala, Hawaii 19.210°, -155.407° | 34.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 3.1 earthquake 7 km E of P?hala, Hawaii came in on December 16, 2021 at 23:38 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M3.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 23:29:21 UTC | 4.9mb | Kermadec Islands region -28.457°, -176.774° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 4.9 earthquake in the Kermadec Islands region at 23:29 UTC on December 16, 2021. See the M4.9 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 23:07:33 UTC | 2.2ml | 18 km NNE of Hermleigh, Texas 32.775°, -100.657° | 8.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 2.2 earthquake 18 km NNE of Hermleigh, Texas came in on December 16, 2021 at 23:07 UTC. See the M2.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 22:55:03 UTC | 4.5mb | Izu Islands, Japan region 31.276°, 142.302° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 4.5 earthquake in the Izu Islands, Japan region came in on December 16, 2021 at 22:55 UTC. See the M4.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 22:36:59 UTC | 2.0ml | 24km ENE of Thermal, CA 33.752°, -115.916° | 6.4 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 2.0 seismic event took place 24km ENE of Thermal, CA on December 16, 2021 at 22:36 UTC. See the M2.0 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 22:36:41 UTC | 3.6ml | 87 km WNW of Kalaoa, Hawaii 19.902°, -156.794° | 1.0 km | 1 | II | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 16, 2021 at 22:36 UTC, a magnitude 3.6 earthquake struck 87 km WNW of Kalaoa, Hawaii. This very shallow event was close enough to the surface that even modest magnitudes can produce significant local shaking. See the M3.6 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 22:20:05 UTC | 5.0mb | Mid-Indian Ridge -40.657°, 78.161° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 22:20 UTC on December 16, 2021, a magnitude 5.0 tremor occurred near Mid-Indian Ridge. See the M5.0 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 22:09:07 UTC | 2.2ml | 9km NW of Delta, B.C., MX 32.422°, -115.254° | 6.1 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
This magnitude 2.2 event was detected 9km NW of Delta, B.C., MX on December 16, 2021, with origin time 22:09 UTC. This event falls inside the aftershock decay of a nearby magnitude 3.0 earthquake that occurred about 9 hours earlier. The event was offshore. See the M2.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 22:05:43 UTC | 2.0md | 8 km S of Princeton, Canada 49.378°, -120.499° | -0.4 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 16, 2021 at 22:05 UTC, a magnitude 2.0 earthquake struck 8 km S of Princeton, Canada. 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. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 22:05:19 UTC | 2.0md | 7 km ENE of P?hala, Hawaii 19.239°, -155.414° | 31.8 km | - | - | - | Auto | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 2.0 earthquake 7 km ENE of P?hala, Hawaii with origin time 22:05 UTC on December 16, 2021. It arrived roughly 6 hours after a larger magnitude 2.7 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. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 21:58:43 UTC | 2.0md | 21 km S of Naalehu, Hawaii 18.874°, -155.569° | 37.4 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 16, 2021, worldwide seismic activity registered a magnitude 2.0 earthquake 21 km S of Naalehu, Hawaii at 21:58 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M2.0 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 21:57:04 UTC | 2.3ml | 51 km S of Whites City, New Mexico 31.715°, -104.289° | 7.3 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 2.3 seismic event took place 51 km S of Whites City, New Mexico on December 16, 2021 at 21:57 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M2.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 21:55:41 UTC | 2.2ml | 3 km SE of P?hala, Hawaii 19.183°, -155.458° | 37.9 km | - | - | - | Auto | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 2.2 earthquake 3 km SE of P?hala, Hawaii at 21:55 UTC on December 16, 2021. Coming 5 hours after a magnitude 2.7 earthquake in the immediate vicinity, it is most likely an aftershock of that larger rupture. The event was offshore. See the M2.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 21:32:45 UTC | 2.2md | 10 km SE of P?hala, Hawaii 19.130°, -155.421° | 32.0 km | - | - | - | Auto | USGS → |
December 16, 2021 brought a magnitude 2.2 earthquake 10 km SE of P?hala, Hawaii, logged at 21:32 UTC. This event falls inside the aftershock decay of a nearby magnitude 2.7 earthquake that occurred about 5 hours earlier. The event was offshore. See the M2.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 21:28:29 UTC | 4.6mb | 219 km W of Quellón, Chile -43.359°, -76.293° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 16, 2021 at 21:28 UTC, a magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck 219 km W of Quellón, Chile. The event was offshore. See the M4.6 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 21:14:46 UTC | 6.0mww | South Sandwich Islands region -60.175°, -23.837° | 15.0 km | - | II | green | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 16, 2021 at 21:14 UTC, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck in the South Sandwich Islands region. 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 16, 2021. See the M6.0 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 20:48:29 UTC | 3.1ml | 43 km SE of Naalehu, Hawaii 18.813°, -155.269° | 9.6 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 3.1 earthquake 43 km SE of Naalehu, Hawaii at 20:48 UTC on December 16, 2021. This event falls inside the aftershock decay of a nearby magnitude 3.2 earthquake that occurred about 12 hours earlier. The event was offshore. See the M3.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 20:42:13 UTC | 2.1md | 51 km SE of Naalehu, Hawaii 18.738°, -155.231° | 2.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
December 16, 2021 brought a magnitude 2.1 earthquake 51 km SE of Naalehu, Hawaii, logged at 20:42 UTC. Coming 12 hours after a magnitude 3.2 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 M2.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 20:40:29 UTC | 5.1mb | Mid-Indian Ridge -40.608°, 78.391° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 16, 2021, worldwide seismic activity registered a magnitude 5.1 earthquake near Mid-Indian Ridge at 20:40 UTC. See the M5.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 20:32:25 UTC | 2.4ml | 8 km ENE of P?hala, Hawaii 19.231°, -155.399° | 31.2 km | - | - | - | Auto | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 2.4 earthquake 8 km ENE of P?hala, Hawaii with origin time 20:32 UTC on December 16, 2021. This event falls inside the aftershock decay of a nearby magnitude 2.7 earthquake that occurred about 4 hours earlier. See the M2.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 20:23:43 UTC | 2.4ml | 9 km ENE of P?hala, Hawaii 19.235°, -155.398° | 30.8 km | - | - | - | Auto | USGS → |
This magnitude 2.4 event was detected 9 km ENE of P?hala, Hawaii on December 16, 2021, with origin time 20:23 UTC. This event falls inside the aftershock decay of a nearby magnitude 2.7 earthquake that occurred about 4 hours earlier. See the M2.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 20:22:53 UTC | 2.1ml | 17 km ESE of Minto, Alaska 65.074°, -149.029° | 21.3 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 2.1 earthquake was recorded 17 km ESE of Minto, Alaska on December 16, 2021 at 20:22 UTC. See the M2.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 20:13:20 UTC | 4.5mb | 31 km NE of Falam, Myanmar 23.135°, 93.877° | 66.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 4.5 seismic event took place 31 km NE of Falam, Myanmar on December 16, 2021 at 20:13 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M4.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 20:04:58 UTC | 2.4ml | 26 km NW of Stanley, Idaho 44.355°, -115.210° | 16.7 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On December 16, 2021 at 20:04 UTC, a magnitude 2.4 earthquake struck 26 km NW of Stanley, Idaho. The event was offshore. See the M2.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 20:04:36 UTC | 2.4ml | 68 km S of Alcan Border, Alaska 62.058°, -141.148° | 10.3 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 2.4 earthquake 68 km S of Alcan Border, Alaska came in on December 16, 2021 at 20:04 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M2.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 20:04:21 UTC | 2.0md | 50 km SE of Naalehu, Hawaii 18.719°, -155.266° | 4.5 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 20:04 UTC on December 16, 2021, a magnitude 2.0 tremor occurred 50 km SE of Naalehu, Hawaii. Coming 11 hours after a magnitude 3.2 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 M2.0 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 19:48:27 UTC | 4.0mb | 29 km SSW of Adak, Alaska 51.633°, -176.828° | 70.5 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 19:48 UTC on December 16, 2021, a magnitude 4.0 tremor occurred 29 km SSW of Adak, Alaska. See the M4.0 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2021-12-16 2021-12-16 19:36:07 UTC | 4.2mb | 119 km SW of Naze, Japan 27.731°, 128.506° | 69.5 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
This magnitude 4.2 event was detected 119 km SW of Naze, Japan on December 16, 2021, with origin time 19:36 UTC. The event was offshore. 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 16, 2021. Data includes all events of magnitude 1.0 or greater. Past earthquake data is considered final after review by USGS seismologists.