Earthquakes around the world

WORLDWIDE EARTHQUAKE REPORT JANUARY 01_2025

Earthquake Forecast updated 29 December 2024, 19:39 UTC
A lunar conjunction with Jupiter may cause a stronger tremor, potentially over 6 magnitude in the next two days. SSGEOS

Strong M6.1 Earthquake in South Sandwich Islands. Fortunately in the middle of nowhere.

M 6.1 - South Sandwich Islands region
2025-01-01 13:48:26 (UTC)
56.440°S 26.770°W. 83.0 km depth
USGS earthquake alert
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Several planetary and lunar alignments involving Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Uranus had previously occurred.
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Light to moderate seismic activity continues in Ethiopia

Ethiopia Struck by Frequent Earthquakes​


Ethiopia has recently experienced a series of earthquakes, with over 14 tremors recorded within just 24 hours.

These seismic events, concentrated in the Afar region’s Awash area, also known as Fentale, have caused minor damage to property and displaced thousands of residents.

Despite the repeated earthquakes, there have been no reports of significant structural damage or casualties so far.

According to a report by the U.S. Geological Survey, the most powerful earthquake recorded in the recent sequence reached a magnitude of 5.0 on the Richter scale.

The tremors were felt as far as Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, underscoring the strength of the seismic activity.


Strongest earthquake in Ethiopia in the past 24 hours

M 5.0 - 22 km N of Āwash, Ethiopia
2025-01-01 15:26:08 (UTC)
9.187°N 40.136°E. 10.0 km depth
GFZ earthquake alert

There were 22 quakes of magnitude 4.0+ near Fantale volcano in the past 7 days.
 
WORLDWIDE EARTHQUAKE REPORT DECEMBER 03_2025

Ethiopia recorded the strongest earthquake of M5.5 since the beginning of the seismic sequence that geologists relate to the activity of the Dofan/Fentale volcano in the East African Rift System. The activity is believed to be linked to magma intrusion beneath the surface which is a phenomenon suspected to have caused the ongoing seismic swarm.

● M 4.5 - 54 km SSE of Metahāra, Ethiopia
01:19:59 (UTC) 10.0 km depth/ USGS
● M 4.7 - 13 km SSW of Āwash, Ethiopia
01:34:21 (UTC) 10.0 km depth/ USGS
● M 4.5 - 30 km NE of Āwash, Ethiopia
02:10:37 (UTC) 10.0 km depth/ USGS
● M 4.5 - 52 km SSE of Debre Sīna, Ethiopia
02:52:35 (UTC) 10.0 km depth/ USGS
● M 5.2 - 32 km N of Metahāra, Ethiopia
14:27:18 (UTC) 10.0 km depth/ USGS
● M 5.5 - 44 km NE of Āwash, Ethiopia
17:01:45 (UTC) 10.0 km depth/
USGS
New images from Afar, Ethiopia, near Mount Dofen, show mud volcanoes formed by water, gases and sediments expelled by subway pressure. The area is near recent seismic swarms.​
A new vent has opened and is producing a powerful jet of gas, rocks and mud at the Dofen volcano in the Dulecha district. This is the closest area to the seismic swarm that is occurring in the Afar region of Ethiopia.​
New cracks in the ground in the area of the Ethiopian earthquakes.​

Seismic swarm rattles Ethiopia​

Update: January 3, 2024, 17:48 UTC. News reports indicate that Mount Dofan began to erupt, starting at around 14:00 UTC. A magnitude 5.5 earthquake was also recorded several hours later, at 17:01 UTC. Footage of the eruption is very impressive! A news article published yesterday indicated that even prior to the eruption, there had been significant damage to homes, and many people were evacuating. To see the location of Mount Dofan relative to subsurface activity, scroll to the end of this post for an InSAR image of deformation from Dec. 24-29.
Further note: perhaps the footage shows an associated mud volcano? The news report references a “fiery plume,” so may be a different feature.
Many moderate magnitude earthquakes have been recorded in Ethiopia over the last two weeks: the USGS reports 55 events above M4, with the two largest reaching M5.1. Relatively little information is available about these events. A handful of reports from Addis Ababa, the capital city, indicate shaking of intensity IV (light) during the larger earthquakes; an even sparser handful from closer to the epicenters reach intensity V (moderate). After one M4.9 earthquake on New Year’s Day, one person ~100 km east of the epicenter wrote: “All things in the home are shaking.”
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Given that the earthquakes are occurring as a swarm, rather than a mainshock-aftershock sequence, the most likely scenario here is that they are volcanic, associated with the movement of magma in the subsurface.​
So, what volcanoes are nearby? As mapped, the seismicity is closest to two volcanoes: Fentale and Dofan. The Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program tells us that Fentale last erupted in 1820 CE, and before that in the 13th century. For Dofan, the Smithsonian IGVP only indicates that eruptions are unknown, but credible — although the fact that the volcano is known as “smoking mountain” certainly suggests some level of historical activity.

SSGEOS earthquake forecast updated December 03, 2025 11:36 UTC​
Critical planetary geometry on 2-3 January can result in larger seismic activity later today or tomorrow, but more likely after the lunar peaks with Saturn and Neptune around the 6th. Be on watch for a potential major tremor. Check out the latest atmosphere updates for Potential Regions
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Update: As this report was being written, a new strong earthquake M5.8 has occurred in Ethiopia!

M 5.8 - 56 km SSE of Abomsa, Ethiopia
2025-01-04 00:52:22 (UTC)
9.505°N 40.169°E
10.0 km depth
USGS earthquake alert

Watch Africa !!!
 
M 5.8 - 56 km SSE of Abomsa, Ethiopia
2025-01-04 00:52:22 (UTC)
9.505°N 40.169°E
10.0 km depth
USGS earthquake alert

According to Volcanodiscovery data "the earthquake was the strongest to hit this part of Ethiopia in over 64 years. Earlier, the last quake of equal or greater strength near the present epicenter had been a magnitude 5.9 earthquake on Friday, Jun 2, 1961"

Fears of volcanic eruption, Ethiopian authorities say that an evacuation process is under way.

Ethiopia villagers flee volcanic activity 'in panic'​

Hundreds of people in a rural part of Ethiopia, 165km (100 miles) north-east of the capital, Addis Ababa, have been leaving their homes in panic as a nearby volcano has been showing signs of a possible eruption, a local chief told the BBC's Afaan Oromoo service.

The smoke coming from Mount Dofan that began around 17:00 local time (14:00 GMT) on Thursday "has a fiery plume and it's very high," Sultan Kemil said.

In a video posted by the Ethiopian Geological Institute on its Facebook page steam and debris can be seen shooting out from the mountain.

In recent weeks, there have been more than a dozen seismic events around Awash Fentale - an earthquake-prone area of Ethiopia's Afar region.


AP reported that The evacuations were ordered after steam eruptions were observed since Thursday at the long-dormant Mount Dofen volcano, raising fears of a volcanic eruption that could put the lives of many people at risk.

In addition, volcanic mud flowing from Dofen has caused huge cracks in critical infrastructure, such as major roads, and dozens of properties have been severely damaged in the Afar region.
 
WORLDWIDE EARTHQUAKE REPORT JANUARY 04_2025

Small-scale to light earthquakes in Ethiopia continue. In the last 24 hours a M5.0 earthquake has been the strongest. Ethiopia’s government said it is evacuating approximately 80,000 people. In the Afar region, frequent quakes created a natural hot spring water crater that is reportedly widening. Most significant so far:​

●M 4.4 - 30 km NNW of Āwash, Ethiopia
03:12:23 (UTC) 10.0 km depth/ USGS
●M 4.7 - 17 km NW of Āwash, Ethiopia
07:00:22 (UTC) 10.0 km depth/ USGS
●M 4.6 - 42 km E of Sīrē, Ethiopia
07:26:19 (UTC) 10.0 km depth/ USGS
●M 4.7 - 10 km E of Āwash, Ethiopia
09:40:32 (UTC) 10.0 km depth/ USGS
●M 4.6 - 27 km NNW of Āwash, Ethiopia
15:29:13 (UTC) 10.0 km depth/ USGS
●M 4.9 - 52 km SSE of Metahāra, Ethiopia
16:36:44 (UTC) 10.0 km depth/ USGS
●M 5.0 - 31 km N of Āwash, Ethiopia
20:05:45 (UTC) 10.0 km depth/
USGS
●M 4.6 - 12 km ESE of Metahāra, Ethiopia
23:03:57 (UTC) 10.0 km depth/ USGS

A M4.5 earthquake occurred in the southern part of the Great rift in the region of the greats lakes, Africa.

M 4.5 - 17 km SE of Cibitoke, Burundi
14:51:50 (UTC) 10.0 km depth/ USGS
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Ethiopian cities are vulnerable to quakes​

Ethiopian experts have warned that many buildings in the country, particularly in Addis Ababa, are highly vulnerable to earthquakes.

Esayas Gebreyohannes, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Addis Ababa University’s Institute of Technology, said Ethiopia introduced building code standards in 1983 that need updating every 10 to 20 years, with the next update scheduled this year.

“Despite these updates, significant gaps persist in adherence to the standards during building design and construction,” he said.

“Many buildings evaluated at Addis Ababa University reveal design faults due to noncompliance with the standards. Additionally, construction materials and workmanship often fall short of required quality levels. Most buildings in Addis Ababa exhibit these deficiencies, compromising their safety and quality,” Esayas said.


Responses to the M6.1 earthquake in Chile

Earthquake analyst Jesús Ramos forecasts one more earthquake in the area from Temuco to La Serena (south-central zone) in Chile in response to last Thursday's M6.1. In the worst case, the earthquake would reach magnitude 7.3

The energy may also move northward to the region of Peru and Ecuador, the Caribbean Sea, Central America and Southeastern Mexico in these regions a M5.5+ and in the worst case M6+ low seismic event could be expected. Further south it is expected to reach the Sandwich Islands but the forecast would be up to M7.3 this could occur in the next 72 hours.

These earthquakes occurred in the last 24 hours:

● M 4.4 - 64 km SSW of Puerto El Triunfo, El Salvador/ 05:48:37 (UTC) 60.2 km depth/ USGS
● M 4.6 - 13 km E of Sipí, Colombia 08:17:20 (UTC) 10.0 km depth/ USGS
● M 4.5 - 34 km S of La Libertad, El Salvador
14:24:36 (UTC) 67.7 km depth/ USGS
 
Last week saw 1 M6 being a M6.8 in the Kuril Islands region.
In the usual area, there were 2 out of 82 earthquakes worldwide equal to or greater than 4.5 and 1486 out of 1700 quakes of all sizes.
Percentage: 87.4%
Last week saw two M6 earthquakes with both reaching M6.1 in respectively Chile and the South Sandwich Islands Region.
In the usual area, there was 1 out of 125 earthquakes equal to or greater than 4.5 and 1705 out of 1975 quakes of all sizes.
Percentage: 86.3%
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As expected after M6.1 in Chile

The energy may also move northward to the region of Peru and Ecuador, the Caribbean Sea, Central America and Southeastern Mexico in these regions a M5.5+ and in the worst case M6+ low seismic event could be expected

M 6.2 - 50 km SSE of La Libertad, El Salvador
2025-01-05 17:18:47 (UTC)
13.053°N 89.172°W
49.5 km depth
USGS earthquake alert

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WORLDWIDE EARTHQUAKE REPORT JANUARY 06_2025

A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit 163 km (101 mi) away from Shigatse, Tibet, China. Tremors are said to have been9 felt in India and Nepal. There is no information on injuries or casualties, if any, at the moment.
M 7.1 - 2025 Xizang, China Earthquake
2025-01-07 01:05:16 (UTC)
28.639°N 87.361°E. 10.0 km depth
USGS earthquake alert
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SSGEOS earthquake forecast updated December 03, 2025 11:36 UTC
Critical planetary geometry on 2-3 January can result in larger seismic activity later today or tomorrow, but more likely after the lunar peaks with Saturn and Neptune around the 6th

The SSGEOS forecast was accurate and the earthquake occurred after the lunar alignments with Saturn and Neptune. During the observation period, the following earthquakes occurred:​
M 6.1 - 84 km NNW of Calama, Chile
M 5.8 - 56 km SSE of Abomsa, Ethiopia
M 6.2 - 50 km SSE of La Libertad, El Salvador
M 7.1 - 2025 Xizang, China Earthquake
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Up to now there have been 5 aftershocks of magnitude greater than 4

● M 5.1 - 72 km NE of Lobuche, Nepal
01:13:27 (UTC) 10.0 km depth/ USGS
● M 5.0 - 84 km NE of Lobuche, Nepal
01:24:26 (UTC) 10.0 km depth/ USGS
● M 4.8 - 125 km NE of Lobuche, Nepal
01:32:00 (UTC)10.0 km depth/ USGS
● M 4.9 - 130 km NNE of Lobuche, Nepal 01:37:13 (UTC) 10.0 km depth/ USGS
● M 4.9 - 73 km NE of Lobuche, Nepal
01:43:49 (UTC) 10.0 km depth/ USGS


According to China's seismic stations, the earthquake would have lasted about 50 seconds.
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According to Volcanodiscovery data:
The earthquake was the strongest to hit this part of China in over 10 years. Earlier, the last quake of equal or greater strength near the present epicenter had been a magnitude 7.2 earthquake on Tuesday, May 12, 2015

The energy will move towards the Indo-Kush region (Pakistan, Afghanistan) possibly reaching Iran and to a lesser degree the eastern Mediterranean region. Also eastward Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Philippines. In the worst case we could see an earthquake of equal magnitude 7.1

Ethiopia earthquakes update

Light to moderate seismic activity continues in the vicinity of volcanoes in Ethiopia. The highest magnitude earthquake in the last 24 hours was 4.7

M 4.7 - 44 km NNW of Āwash, Ethiopia
2025-01-06 23:22:58 (UTC) 10.0 km depth
USGS

Addis Ababa and Semera Universities are conducting geological investigations in the affected area where a small lake has formed.​
 
Earthquake in Tibet update

Current fatalities are at 53 in the Tibetan region. 🙏

Sadly report already at least 95 people dead and 130 injured in the #Tibet region, following the #earthquake of M7.1. It has been the most intense in the last 5 years.

Tibet earthquake rescuers search for survivors in freezing temperatures​

Rescue workers are searching for survivors after a major earthquake killed dozens of people and damaged more than 1,000 buildings in a remote region of Tibet, near Everest.

At least 126 people were killed, with another 188 injured, after the earthquake hit the foothills of the Himalayas at around 09:00 local time (01:00 GMT) on Tuesday, according to Chinese state media.

A large-scale rescue operation was launched, with survivors under additional pressure as temperatures were predicted to fall as low as -16C (3.2F) overnight.

The magnitude 7.1 quake, which struck at a depth of 10 kilometres (six miles), according to data from the US Geological Survey, was also felt in Nepal and parts of India, which neighbour Tibet.

Videos published by China's state broadcaster CCTV showed destroyed houses and collapsed buildings in Tibet's holy Shigatse city, with rescue workers wading through debris and handing out thick blankets to locals.

Temperatures in Tingri county, near the earthquake's epicentre in the northern foothills of the Himalayas, were already as low as -8C (17.6F) before night fell, according to the China Meteorological Administration.


Seismic event analyst Jesús Ramos mentions the possibility of an M6.5 and in the worst case M7.5 event for the areas of Japan (south-central) Fiji, Tonga and Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Mariana Islands and Northern New Zealand. This warning would be in effect until January 17.

For Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Greece, Italy and North Africa there is the possibility of an M5.5 and in the worst case M6+ high event.

Finally, SSGEOS had detected an atmospheric fluctuation for the Tibet area last December 17. It took 21 days for a major seismic event to manifest in the region.

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So far the Izu Islands in Japan have recorded what is possibly a response to the M7.1 earthquake. The earthquake was very deep.

M 5.6 - Izu Islands, Japan region
2025-01-07 08:31:32 (UTC)
31.587°N 138.378°E. 377.5 km depth
USGS earthquake alert
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