Earthquakes in Japan — December 2024
9 earthquakes were recorded in Japan during December 2024, an average of 0.3 per day.
9 reached magnitude 4 or above and 1 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 80 km.
The month's largest event in Japan was a magnitude 5.2 earthquake near Makurazaki, Japan on 17 December 2024 at 04:09 UTC. A magnitude 5.2 earthquake radiates roughly 951 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
33% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 67% intermediate (70–300 km) and 0% deep-focus (over 300 km). A substantial share of intermediate-depth events points to a subducting slab beneath the region rather than purely crustal faulting.
By band, the catalogue holds 8 in the magnitude 4 range, 1 in the magnitude 5 range.
Activity peaked on 17 December, when 3 events were recorded.
The month's largest events were M5.2 near Makurazaki, Japan on 17 December at 165 km; M4.8 near Isumi, Japan on 09 December at 45 km; M4.8 near Miyazaki, Japan on 06 December at 58 km.
This month also holds the strongest earthquake recorded in Japan in our entire catalogue.
Every earthquake in Japan, December 2024
9 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4 | Yonaguni, Japan | 111.0 | Japan | View details View | |
| 4.5 | Yuki, Japan | 76.9 | Japan | View details View | |
| 5.2 | Makurazaki, Japan | 165.5 | Japan | View details View | |
| 4.5 | Aridagawa, Japan | 34.6 | Japan | View details View | |
| 4.4 | Ofunato, Japan | 75.7 | Japan | View details View | |
| 4.8 | Isumi, Japan | 45.1 | Japan | View details View | |
| 4.5 | Chiba, Japan | 76.3 | Japan | View details View | |
| 4.8 | Miyazaki, Japan | 57.8 | Japan | View details View | |
| 4.8 | Bando, Japan | 73.5 | Japan | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit Japan in December 2024?
9 earthquakes were recorded in Japan during December 2024, of which 9 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in Japan in December 2024?
A magnitude 5.2 event near Makurazaki, Japan on 17 December 2024.
Other months in Japan
Magnitudes for December 2024 reflect the current USGS review status and may have been revised since first publication. See our guides on the magnitude scale, focal depth and why earthquakes cluster.