Shallow M5.6 earthquake hits near Bitung, Indonesia
A shallow M5.6 earthquake was registered at 12:21 UTC on December 21, 2025, approximately 129 km (80 miles) east of Bitung, Indonesia. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 54.9 km (34.1 miles) and was identified by USGS with preliminary data from coordinates 126.3°E, 1.5°N.
The epicenter was located east of Bitung, a city in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, placing it near the northern arm of Sulawesi island. The region is known for its proximity to both offshore and coastal areas, and the surrounding area consists of scattered small communities and dynamic marine transportation routes.
Given the region’s geography, nearby infrastructure may include commercial shipping lanes, fisheries, port facilities, and basic roadways connecting smaller towns along the coast.
There is no tsunami threat associated with this earthquake, based on its location and available data.
One felt report was received for this event, and the significance index is 483 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), based on magnitude, felt reports, and estimated impact.
Indonesia sits atop the complex tectonic boundary between the Eurasian, Pacific, and Australian plates, resulting in frequent seismic activity across the region. Sulawesi and its surrounding seas are well known for tectonic faults and subduction zones that regularly generate earthquakes.
This information was last updated at 12:40 UTC on December 21, 2025.