Earthquakes in the Northern Mariana Islands — January 2025
5 earthquakes were recorded in the Northern Mariana Islands during January 2025, an average of 0.2 per day.
5 reached magnitude 4 or above and 2 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 117 km.
The month's largest event in the Northern Mariana Islands was a magnitude 5.2 earthquake near Alamagan region, Northern Mariana Islands on 27 January 2025 at 14:51 UTC. A magnitude 5.2 earthquake radiates roughly 951 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
That is well above the the Northern Mariana Islands monthly average of 3 events over the period we cover — an unusually active month, and down from the 6 recorded the previous month.
40% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 60% 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, 2 in the magnitude 5 range.
The month's largest events were M5.2 near Alamagan region, Northern Mariana Islands on 27 January at 134 km; M5.0 near Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands on 20 January at 11 km; M4.9 near Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands on 26 January at 42 km.
That is 47% above the 3 events the Northern Mariana Islands averages per month across the 20 months on record.
Largest earthquakes in the Northern Mariana Islands, January 2025
5 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.2 | Alamagan region, Northern Mariana Islands | 134.1 | Northern Mariana Islands | View details View | |
| 5.0 | Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands | 10.7 | Northern Mariana Islands | View details View | |
| 4.9 | Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands | 41.7 | Northern Mariana Islands | View details View | |
| 4.8 | Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands | 189.7 | Northern Mariana Islands | View details View | |
| 4.6 | Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands | 208.3 | Northern Mariana Islands | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit the Northern Mariana Islands in January 2025?
5 earthquakes were recorded in the Northern Mariana Islands during January 2025, of which 5 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in the Northern Mariana Islands in January 2025?
A magnitude 5.2 event near Alamagan region, Northern Mariana Islands on 27 January 2025.
Other months in the Northern Mariana Islands
Magnitudes for January 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.