Strong M6.0 earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit near the east coast of Honshu, Japan at 14:26 UTC on December 31, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 19.3 km (12 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.0 at a depth of 19 km (11.8 miles).
Epicenter of M6.0 earthquake in east of Noda, Japan on December 31, 2025. Credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 91 km (56 miles) east of Noda (population 4 201), 95 km (59 miles) east of Kuji (population 34 418), and 155.2 km (96.4 miles) east-northeast of Morioka (population 290 700), Iwate Prefecture, Japan.
According to USGS PAGER, about 381 000 people are estimated to have felt light shaking (MMI IV), and around 3 202 000 people weak shaking (MMI II–III).
There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are heavy wood frame and reinforced/confined masonry construction.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides and fires that might have contributed to losses.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M6.0 earthquake near the east coast of Honshu, Japan – USGS – December 31, 2025
2 M6.0 earthquake near the east coast of Honshu, Japan – EMSC – December 31, 2025
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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