Earthquakes in Nicaragua — December 2025
3 earthquakes were recorded in Nicaragua during December 2025, an average of 0.1 per day.
3 reached magnitude 4 or above and 0 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 46 km.
The month's largest event in Nicaragua was a magnitude 4.4 earthquake near Jiquilillo, Nicaragua on 21 December 2025 at 17:41 UTC. A magnitude 4.4 earthquake radiates roughly 60 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
That is close to the Nicaragua monthly average of 3 events over the period we cover, and up from the 1 recorded the previous month.
67% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 33% 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 3 in the magnitude 4 range.
The month's largest events were M4.4 near Jiquilillo, Nicaragua on 21 December at 36 km; M4.4 near Masachapa, Nicaragua on 16 December at 82 km; M4.3 near San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua on 22 December at 19 km.
That is close to the 3 events Nicaragua averages per month across the 20 months on record.
Largest earthquakes in Nicaragua, December 2025
3 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 | Jiquilillo, Nicaragua | 35.9 | Nicaragua | View details View | |
| 4.4 | Masachapa, Nicaragua | 81.6 | Nicaragua | View details View | |
| 4.3 | San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua | 19.2 | Nicaragua | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit Nicaragua in December 2025?
3 earthquakes were recorded in Nicaragua during December 2025, of which 3 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in Nicaragua in December 2025?
A magnitude 4.4 event near Jiquilillo, Nicaragua on 21 December 2025.
Other months in Nicaragua
Magnitudes for December 2025 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.