A 5.5-magnitude earthquake occurred near Shikotan in Sakhalin Oblast, Russia. The quake took place on December 17, 2025, at 12:44 PM local time. The epicenter was located at a depth of 31 kilometers.
Details of the Earthquake
The event was initially reported by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). Shortly after, the RaspberryShake citizen-seismograph network confirmed the magnitude at 5.5. Other agencies such as France’s Réseau National de Surveillance Sismique (RéNaSS) reported a slightly lower magnitude of 5.3. The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) also confirmed the quake at 5.5.
Impact and Area Affected
Generally, earthquakes of this magnitude are recorded by multiple agencies. The initial reports may vary, but later updates often provide improved accuracy. Despite the quake’s strength, it is expected that no significant damage occurred. However, many residents likely experienced light vibrations in the vicinity of the epicenter.
- Location: Near Shikotan, Sakhalin Oblast, Russia
- Population of Shikotan: Approximately 2,100
- Epicenter Depth: 31 km
- Time of Occurrence: December 17, 2025, at 12:44 PM local time
- Magnitude: 5.5 (confirmed by multiple agencies)
Residents are encouraged to report their experiences using online platforms or mobile applications. Such submissions help improve the accuracy of earthquake records and provide timely updates to the global community. Continuous monitoring will take place to provide further information on this seismic event.
