Shallow M5.9 earthquake hits off the coast of Hokkaido, Japan
A shallow earthquake registered by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) as M5.9 hit off the coast of Nemuro Peninsula, Hokkaido, at 21:23 UTC on June 21 (06:23 JST, June 22), 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 20 km (12.4 miles). USGS is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).
Epicenter of M5.9 earthquake off the coast of Nemuro Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan on June 21, 2025. Credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 89 km (55 miles) ESE of Nemuro (population 31 223), 140 km (87 miles) SE of Shibetsu (population 21 744), and 144 km (90 miles) ESE of Nakashibetsu (population 23 014), Hokkaido.
267 000 people are estimated to have felt light shaking.
There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are adobe block and unreinforced brick with mud construction.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides and fires that might have contributed to losses.
The quake was followed by M5.3 at 21:25 UTC and M4.1 at 21:53 UTC, according to data provided by JMA.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M5.9 earthquake Hokkaido, Japan – USGS – June 21, 2025
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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