The global earthquake update for December 16, 2025, reveals significant seismic activity across various regions. In the last 24 hours, a total of 644 earthquakes were registered, showcasing varying magnitudes.
Seismic Activity Overview
During the recent monitoring period, the following statistics were reported:
- Magnitude 5.0 and above: 6 earthquakes
- Magnitude 4.0 and above: 39 earthquakes
- Magnitude 3.0 and above: 171 earthquakes
- Magnitude 2.0 and above: 428 earthquakes
Notably, no earthquakes of magnitude 6 or higher were detected. The total seismic energy released was estimated at approximately 3.1 x 1013 joules, equivalent to about 7511 tons of TNT or half an atomic bomb’s energy.
Major Earthquakes on December 16, 2025
Several earthquakes stood out due to their magnitudes and locations:
- Magnitude 5.3: Coral Sea, 242 km southeast of Uki Ni Massi, Solomon Islands, at 08:18 PM (GMT +11)
- Magnitude 5.1: North Pacific Ocean, 135 km east of Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan, at 02:38 PM (GMT +9)
- Magnitude 5.1: Southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 12:44 PM (GMT -1)
- Magnitude 5.1: Sea of Okhotsk, 163 km southeast of Kuril’sk, Sakhalin Oblast, Russia, at 09:34 AM (GMT +10)
- Magnitude 5.0: Alaska at 02:35 PM (GMT -9)
- Magnitude 5.0: Southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 12:45 PM (GMT -1)
Reported Earthquake Felt by Residents
Some earthquakes were reported felt by residents, providing insights into their impact:
- Magnitude 2.1: 13 km northeast of Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, 51 reports on December 16, 2025
- Magnitude 3.0: 8 km south of Katowice, Poland, 43 reports
- Magnitude 4.4: Departamento de Managua, Nicaragua, 33 reports
- Magnitude 3.2: Cayey Municipio, Puerto Rico, 18 reports
- Magnitude 4.3: Los Andes, Region de Valparaiso, Chile, 17 reports
This data reflects ongoing seismic activity worldwide. El-Balad will continue to monitor these events closely, providing timely updates on significant earthquakes and their impact. Stay tuned for further updates, as earthquake activity can significantly affect communities and infrastructure.
