Shallow M5.6 earthquake hits southeast of Vilyuchinsk, Russia
A shallow M5.6 earthquake was recorded at 02:31 UTC on October 23, 2025, approximately 191 km (119 miles) southeast of Vilyuchinsk, Russia. The event took place at a depth of 10.0 km (6.2 miles).
The coordinates of the epicenter were reported as 51.4°N, 159.7°E, placing the quake offshore in the northwest Pacific region, southeast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. This area is sparsely populated and is known for its remote and rugged terrain, with no major population centers nearby.
Given the offshore location and distance from major settlements, critical infrastructure such as ports and energy facilities may be present in the broader region around Kamchatka, along with limited transportation links connecting remote localities.
There is no tsunami threat associated with this earthquake, based on its location and available data.
The maximum estimated intensity for this event was III–IV on the Modified Mercalli scale. The significance index is 482 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), based on its magnitude, available data, and estimated impact.
The Kamchatka Peninsula lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where the Pacific Plate subducts beneath the North American Plate, creating a zone of high seismic activity. Earthquakes and volcanism are common in this tectonically active area.
This information was last updated at 02:52 UTC on October 23, 2025.