disaster management, geophysics

Earthquakes in December 2025

Four earthquakes were felt in Austria in December. The epicenters were in Vorarlberg, Tyrol, and Lower Austria.

On December 9 at 4:11 p.m. CET, a magnitude 2.5 earthquake occurred approximately 5 km east of Rankweil, Vorarlberg (47.28°N, 9.72°E). It was faintly felt by some people up to a distance of about 10 km. A slight shaking and rumbling of the ground were observed. The intensity was 3 on the 12-level European Macroseismic Scale (EMS-98).

In northern Lower Austria, a slight earthquake was felt at 7:51 a.m. CET on December 17, with its epicenter located 4 km southwest of Albrechtsberg an der Großen Krems (48.44°N, 15.32°E). The magnitude 1.9 quake was slightly felt by several people in Attenreith, Elsenreith, and Waldhausen. The intensity reached 3 on the EMS-98.

In the Stubai Alps, Tyrol (47.12°N, 11.18°E), an earthquake with a magnitude of 2.1 occurred on December 17 at 11:20 p.m. It was faintly felt in Sellrain, with an intensity of 2 to 3 (EMS-98).

A very weak earthquake with a magnitude of 1.2 was felt in Terfens, Tyrol (4.34°N, 11.65°E) at 1:07 a.m. CET on December 30 as a slight tremor and rumbling of the ground. The intensity was assigned to 2 to 3 on the EMS-98.

Map graphics

Earthquakes_December_2025.png

Epicentres and intensities of earthquakes felt in Austria in December 2025. © GeoSphere Austria.

Intensity Scale EMS-98

Excerpt from the short form of the 12-level European Macroseismic Scale 1998, based on Mercalli-Sieberg

  • Degree 2 – Scarcely: The tremor is felt only by a very few individuals at rest and in an especially receptive position indoors.
  • Degree 3 – Weak: The earthquake is felt indoors by a few. People at rest feel a swaying or light trembling. Hanging objects swing slightly.

Strong earthquakes worldwide

Date

Time (UTC)

M

Epicentral area

Comment

06. Dec 2025

20:41

7.0

USA, Alaska; 60.31°N 139.55°W

Landslides and avalanches triggered

08. Dec 2025

14:15

7.6

Japan, Aomori; 41.00°N 142.17°E

At least 50 injured, power outages, and tsunami up to 70 cm

08. Dec 2025

21:52

6.6

Japan, 126 km off the coast; 41.00°N 143.16°E

Aftershock, no major damage reported

12. Dec 2025

02:44

6.7

Japan, 114 km off the coast; 40.92°N 142.75°E

Aftershock, no major damage reported

22. Dec 2025

10:31

6.5

Papua New Guinea; 5.72°S 145.50°E

Earthquake at a depth of 110 km, therefore only minor effects on the earth's surface

24. Dec 2025

09:47

6.0

Taiwan, near the coast; 22.85°N 121.21°E

Some damage, building fire, depth 10 km

27. Dec 2025

15:05

6.6

Taiwan, 31 km off the coast; 24.66°N 122.04°E

Some damage, depth 67 km

28. Dec 2025

02:51

6.2

Peru, 36 km off the coast; 8.96°S 78.97°W

Some damage, depth 67 km

UTC (Universal Time Coordinated) = GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)
Data for worldwide earthquakes according to U.S. Geological Survey
M: Magnitude (logarithmic energy scale)
Information provided without guarantee

Seismological Service of Austria - GeoSphere Austria
Hohe Warte 38, A-1190 Vienna
Tel. +43 1 36026 2508
E-Mail: seismo@geosphere.at

Further information