Shallow M5.6 earthquake hits north of Fais, Micronesia
A shallow earthquake measured at M5.6 was recorded at 09:43 UTC on October 10, 2025, approximately 219 km (136 miles) north-northeast of Fais, Micronesia. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 10.0 km (6.2 miles), based on data from the US Geological Survey.
The epicenter was situated in the open ocean, north of Fais Island, within the Federated States of Micronesia, at coordinates 11.5°N, 141.6°E. The affected area is remote, with the closest inhabited locations being in the outer islands of Yap State, and population concentrations are limited.
Given the offshore location in a sparsely populated part of Micronesia, nearby infrastructure may include local maritime routes, small port facilities on Fais and other outer islands, and limited airstrips or communication infrastructure typical of remote Pacific islands.
There is no tsunami threat associated with this earthquake, based on its location and available data.
The significance index is 482 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), based on magnitude, felt reports, and estimated impact.
Micronesia is situated within the Pacific Plate and is affected by the complex tectonic interactions at the Pacific–Philippine Sea Plate boundary. While large earthquakes are less frequent in this part of Micronesia compared to more active subduction zones elsewhere in the Pacific, seismic activity does occur due to regional plate movements.
This information was last updated at 09:58 UTC on October 10, 2025.