Update: Earthquake of 5.0 magnitude reported close to Mutsu, Japan on Dec. 17

Published Jan 16, 2026

Wednesday afternoon, a 5.0 magnitude quake was detected near Mutsu, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

It was reported that a tremor rattled the region at 09:50 UTC (18:50 local time). The epicenter was situated roughly 94 km east of Mutsu, at a depth of 52 km.

Did you feel it?

If you noticed the earthquake, you can submit a report via the USGS Felt Report form.

Tremors past week

Over the last week, there have been 14 tremors with a magnitude 2.5 or above centered nearby, three of them larger than magnitude 5.5. The biggest, a 6.7 magnitude quake, struck close to Kuji five days earlier.

Last week’s five largest nearby quakes:

• 6.7, northeast of Kuji on Dec. 12
• 5.7, northeast of Kuji on Dec. 10
• 5.5, south of Honchō on Dec. 12
• 5.1, northeast of Kuji on Dec. 16
• 5.1, south of Honchō on Dec. 11

Source: The U.S. Geological Survey