Moderate magnitude 4.4 earthquake at 53 km depth15 Mar 20:29 UTC: First to report: VolcanoDiscovery after 4 minutes.15 Mar 20:32: Now using data updates from NIEDI didn't feel itI felt this quakeEarthquake detailsDate & timeMar 15, 2026 20:25:17 UTC - Local time at epicenterMonday, Mar 16, 2026, at 05:25 am (GMT +9)Statusconfirmed (manually revised)Magnitude4.4Depth53 kmEpicenter latitude / longitude33.596°N / 132.209°ENishiuwa, Yamaguchi, JapanSeismic antipode33.596°S / 47.791°WShaking intensityIII Weak shaking near epicenterFelt1 reportPrimary data sourceNIED (National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience)Nearest volcanoTsurumi (80 km / 50 mi)Weather at epicenter at time of quakeScattered Clouds 6°C (43 F), humidity: 70%, wind: 2 m/s (4 kts) from WNWEstimated seismic energy released2.5 x 1011 joules (69.8 megawatt hours, equivalent to 60 tons of TNT) | equivalent to ONE quake of magnitude 4.4 | about seismic energy8 minutes ago reported feltMar 15, 2026 20:25 GMT / Mar 16, 2026 05:25 am (GMT +9)Lat / Lng: 33.596 / 132.209: Japan: Iyonada SetonaikaiSource: NIEDDetail info | Read user reports | You felt it? - Report it!';storedMarkers.push(['quake-22811773',33.59600,132.20900,'8 minutes ago: Mag. 4.4, Japan: Iyonada Setonaikai',html,'quakes-6-24.png',25,25,12,12,125]); function mkRep(id,notFelt){var nFelt=notFelt||false;var src="https://www.volcanoesandearthquakes.com/app/earthquake-report.php?quakeId="+id;if(nFelt==true){src+="¬Felt=true";}window.open(src,"","status=0,toolbar=0,location=0,directories=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,scrollbars=1,height=400,width=350");} function locationHashChanged(e){-1!=e.oldURL.indexOf("#popupMap")&&closePopup()} window.onhashchange = locationHashChanged; function comment(e){var t=e.parentNode,a=(t.dataset.id,document.getElementById("commentForm"));"none"==a.style.display?(t.appendChild(a),a.style.display="block"):a.style.display="none"}function sendComment(e){var t=e.parentNode,a=t.parentNode.dataset.id,n=document.getElementById("commentContent"),p=n.value.trim();if(p){var o="id="+a+"&quakeId="+thisQuakeId;o+="&comment="+decodeURIComponent(p),mkRequest("//reports.volcanodiscovery.com/app/eqReportComment.php","post",o,function(e){e.responseText;alert("Thank you for submitting your comment!"),t.style.display="none",n.value=""})}}function flagReport(e){var t=e.parentNode.dataset.id;if(confirm("Report this as inappropriate?")){var a="id="+t+"&quakeId="+thisQuakeId+"&flagAsInappropriate=1";mkRequest("//reports.volcanodiscovery.com/app/eqReportComment.php","post",a,function(t){var a=t.responseText;alert(a),e.style.display="none"})}}function likeReport(e){var t="id="+e.parentNode.dataset.id+"&quakeId="+thisQuakeId+"&like=1";mkRequest("//reports.volcanodiscovery.com/app/eqReportComment.php","post",t,function(t){t.responseText;e.style.opacity=.5})}]]>[smaller] [bigger]Most recent quakes Top 20 past 24 hrs Quakes in JapanNearby placesThe closest larger town where the quake might have been felt is Matsuyama, a city with more than 510,000 inhabitants in Japan, in 58 km (36 mi) distance northeast of the epicenter. People likely experienced weak shaking there. Many smaller towns and villages are located closer to the epicenter and might have experienced stronger shaking. In the capital of Japan, Tokyo, 723 km (449 mi) away from the epicenter, the earthquake could not be felt.The following table shows some of the places that might have been affected (or not) by the shaking.DistancePlaceMax. shaking intensity(*)RegionCountry16 km (10 mi)SE of epicenterIkatagoshi(pop: 8,400)III: WeakNishiuwa-gun, EhimeJapan26 km (16 mi)SE of epicenterYawatahama(pop: 32,000)III: WeakYawatahama-shi, EhimeJapan33 km (21 mi)E of epicenterOzu(pop: 40,600)III: WeakŌzu, EhimeJapan38 km (24 mi)SE of epicenterUwa(pop: 35,400)III: WeakSeiyo Shi, EhimeJapan38 km (24 mi)N of epicenterOshima(pop: 14,800)III: WeakOshima-gun, YamaguchiJapan41 km (25 mi)E of epicenterUchiko(pop: 15,300)III: WeakKita-gun, EhimeJapan42 km (26 mi)N of epicenterTabuse(pop: 14,500)III: WeakKumage-gun, YamaguchiJapan42 km (26 mi)N of epicenterYanai(pop: 32,500)III: WeakYamaguchiJapan45 km (28 mi)W of epicenterKunisaki(pop: 26,200)III: WeakOita PrefectureJapan47 km (29 mi)NW of epicenterHikari(pop: 51,000)III: WeakYamaguchiJapan49 km (30 mi)E of epicenterIyo(pop: 35,100)III: WeakEhimeJapan51 km (32 mi)NE of epicenterMasaki(pop: 30,500)III: WeakIyo-gun, EhimeJapan53 km (33 mi)SE of epicenterUwajima(pop: 70,800)III: WeakEhimeJapan56 km (35 mi)NW of epicenterKudamatsu(pop: 55,900)III: WeakYamaguchiJapan57 km (36 mi)E of epicenterHaramachi(pop: 20,500)III: WeakIyo-gun, EhimeJapan58 km (36 mi)NE of epicenterMatsuyama(pop: 511,200)III: WeakEhimeJapan58 km (36 mi)W of epicenterKitsuki(pop: 28,000)III: WeakOita PrefectureJapan62 km (38 mi)SW of epicenterTsurusaki(pop: 77,000)III: WeakOita-shi, Oita PrefectureJapan62 km (39 mi)NW of epicenterTokuyama(pop: 101,100)III: WeakShunan Shi, YamaguchiJapan63 km (39 mi)N of epicenterIwakuni(pop: 129,100)III: WeakYamaguchiJapan65 km (40 mi)NW of epicenterShunan(pop: 149,600)III: WeakShunan Shi, YamaguchiJapan65 km (40 mi)SW of epicenterUsuki(pop: 36,200)III: WeakOita PrefectureJapan66 km (41 mi)SW of epicenterTsukumiura(pop: 21,700)III: WeakTsukumi-shi, Oita PrefectureJapan67 km (41 mi)E of epicenterToon(pop: 33,900)III: WeakTōon, EhimeJapan68 km (42 mi)NE of epicenterHojo(pop: 28,000)III: WeakMatsuyama-shi, EhimeJapan68 km (42 mi)W of epicenterHiji(pop: 28,500)III: WeakHayami-gun, Oita PrefectureJapan68 km (42 mi)N of epicenterOtake(pop: 30,200)III: WeakOtake-shi, HiroshimaJapan71 km (44 mi)W of epicenterBungoTakada(pop: 23,100)III: WeakBungo-takada Shi, Oita PrefectureJapan74 km (46 mi)E of epicenterShinagawa(pop: 422,500)III: WeakKamiukena, EhimeJapan75 km (46 mi)SW of epicenterBeppu(pop: 122,600)III: WeakOita PrefectureJapan76 km (47 mi)N of epicenterEtajima(pop: 24,600)III: WeakHiroshimaJapan77 km (48 mi)N of epicenterŌno-hara(pop: 26,200)III: Weak77 km (48 mi)N of epicenterOno-hara(pop: 26,200)III: WeakHatsukaichi-shi, HiroshimaJapan77 km (48 mi)S of epicenterSaiki(pop: 66,900)III: WeakOita PrefectureJapan78 km (48 mi)SE of epicenterMishohirajo(pop: 19,600)III: WeakMinamiuwa-gun, EhimeJapan78 km (48 mi)NW of epicenterHofu(pop: 116,900)III: WeakYamaguchiJapan78 km (49 mi)NE of epicenterKure(pop: 214,600)III: WeakHiroshimaJapan95 km (59 mi)NW of epicenterYamaguchi(pop: 194,000)II: Very weakYamaguchiJapan95 km (59 mi)NW of epicenterYamaguchi(pop: 194,000)II: Very weakYamaguchiJapan723 km (449 mi)E of epicenterTokyo(pop: 9,733,300)I: Not feltTokyoJapanNotes:(*) Shaking intensity according to the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MMI) and estimated using seismic models.User-reports for this quake (1)The first report about ground shaking reached us after only 4 minutes, before other agencies reported it. So far, we have received 1 report for this quake. This section is being updated as new data comes in.User reports estimate the perceived ground shaking intensity according to the MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) scale.Contribute:Leave a comment if you find a particular report interesting or want to add to it.Flag as inappropriate.Mark as helpful or interesting.Send your own user report!Translate62.3 km N of epicenter [Map] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) : Laying in bed and it was rocking back and forth as i stood still What is Intensity and the Mercalli Intensity Scale?The amount of shaking that occurs on the surface due to an earthquake is called the intensity. It is commonly measured on the so-called Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MMI) ranging from 1 (not felt) to 10 (extreme shaking), and given in Roman numerals as I,II,...IX, X, and often displayed with color codes ranging from light blue to dark red.Earthquake intensity depends mainly on the magnitude and depth of the quake as well as the distance from the epicenter: The further away, the less shaking intensity occurs.Read more about the MMI scale!Number of reports by intensityShaking intensityNumber of reportsMin-Max distance from epicenter (*)Average distance (*)II: Very weak shaking162–62 km (39–39 mi)62 km (39 mi)Notes(*) Reports are filtered to exclude those that are likely highly inaccurate or esaggerated.Only reports with latitude/longitude coordinate positions given (1 in total) could be used for geographic statistics.Get the Android appI didn't feel itI felt this quakeIf you were near the epicenter and felt it, please share your experience and submit a short "I felt it" report! Other users would love to hear about it!If you did NOT feel the quake although you were in the area, please report it as well! Your contribution is valuable to earthquake science and seismic hazard analysis.Compare Quake DataData for the same earthquake as reported by different agenciesThe more agencies report about the same quake and post similar data, the more confidence you can have in the data. It takes normally up to a few hours until earthquake parameters are calculated with near-optimum precision.MagDepthTime GMT2026-03-15EpicenterAgency4.453 km33 mi20:25:17IYONADA SETONAIKAINIED (National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience)Aftershocks for this quakeNo aftershocks have been recorded so far. When aftershocks are detected, we will update this section.What are aftershocks?Larger earthquakes (above magnitude 5 or so) such as this one are usually followed by smaller ones known as aftershocks that occur in the same area during the days, weeks, months or even years after the main shock.[More info]What about this quake?Based on its magnitude, the fault that was active during the quake likely ruptured beneath a surface area of approximately 3 km2 (1 square miles) as a first-order estimate. The length of the rupture zone thus was probably around 3 km (2 mi).[More info]Recorded aftershocks, latest first (0 quake)Mar 16, 2026 05:25 am (GMT +9)8 minutes ago4.453 km0 km - This quakeInland Sea, 22 km S of Heigun-to Island, Yamaguchi, JapanMain Shock (this quake)MoreMap of aftershocksPrevious quakes in the same area of this earthquakeThe earthquake occurred 32 weeks after a magnitude 4.5 earthquake had hit on Wednesday, Aug 6, 2025, at 02:53 am (GMT +9 local time) in 93 km (58 mi) distance to the southwest:Mag. 4.5 earthquake 28 km south of Oita - Oita Prefecture, Japan - Aug 6, 2025 - The largest quake near the epicenter of this quake during the 10 years before was an event of magnitude 7.1. It had occurred 1 year 31 weeks earlier, on Thursday, Aug 8, 2024, at 04:42 pm (GMT +9 local time) in Miyazaki, Japan:Mag. 7.1 earthquake Philippine Sea - Miyazaki, Japan - Aug 8, 2024 - The strongest-ever (since 1900) recorded quake in this area measured magnitude 8.0. It had occurred 84 years ago earlier, on Tuesday, Nov 18, 1941, at 04:46 pm local time (Universal Time GMT +0) in Miyazaki, Japan:Mag. 8.0 earthquake Philippine Sea - Miyazaki, Japan - Nov 18, 1941 - Below is a list and map of larger or recent quakes that had occurred near the epicenter before this earthquake (within up to 100 km/61 mi distance, up to 300 km/183 mi for very large quakes above mag. 7). Filter and sort the list by magnitude or time.Max results102050100AllMagnitudeAll2+3+4+5+6+7+8+Time before48 hours1 week30 days1 year5 years30 yearsAny ageDate and TimeMagDepthDistanceLocationDetailsMapAug 6, 2025 02:53 am (GMT +9)4.580 km93 km (58 mi) to the SW 28 km south of Oita, Oita Prefecture, Japan 5 reportsInfoJul 18, 2025 06:58 pm (GMT +9)4.5108 km91 km (57 mi) to the SW 22 km southwest of Oita, Oita Prefecture, Japan 1 reportInfoJun 3, 2025 08:17 pm (GMT +9)4.547 km31 km (19 mi) to the SPhilippine Sea, 35 km west of Uwajima, Ehime, Japan 2 reportsInfoJun 3, 2025 08:17 pm (GMT +9)4.247 km39 km (24 mi) to the SPhilippine Sea, 30 km west of Uwajima, Ehime, JapanInfoDec 1, 2024 01:24 am (GMT +9)4.151 km31 km (19 mi) to the SE9 km SSW of Yawatahama, JapanInfoSep 20, 2024 09:22 pm (GMT +9)4.450 km39 km (24 mi) to the SPhilippine Sea, 28 km west of Uwajima, Ehime, Japan 18 reportsInfoAug 8, 2024 04:42 pm (GMT +9)7.124 km215 km (133 mi) to the SPhilippine Sea, 19 km southeast of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan 38 reportsInfoJun 1, 2024 04:02 am (GMT +9)4.744 km41 km (26 mi) to the S 23 km W of Uwajima, Japan 12 reportsInfoApr 17, 2024 11:14 pm (GMT +9)6.332 km41 km (26 mi) to the SPhilippine Sea, 18 km west of Uwajima, Ehime, Japan 300 reportsInfoJan 22, 2022 01:08 am (GMT +9)6.339 km98 km (61 mi) to the S 27 km SSE of Saiki, Japan 90 reportsInfoJul 17, 2021 08:50 pm (GMT +9)5.778 km33 km (21 mi) to the WInland Sea, Oita Prefecture, 46 km south of Tokuyama, Yamaguchi, Japan 75 reportsInfoJun 19, 2021 07:39 am (GMT +9)5.243 km32 km (20 mi) to the SE Near Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan 29 reportsInfoFeb 19, 2018 03:31 am (GMT +9)5.042 km89 km (55 mi) to the SPhilippine Sea, 158 km south of Okino-shima Island, Japan 1 reportInfoJul 1, 2016 05:39 am (Universal Time)4.979 km42 km (26 mi) to the WKyushu, JapanInfoApr 16, 2016 01:30 am (GMT +9)5.110 km90 km (56 mi) to the SW 14 km southwest of Saiki, Oita Prefecture, JapanInfoApr 16, 2016 01:25 am (GMT +9)7.010 km169 km (105 mi) to the SW 3.1 km south of Kumamoto, Kumamoto, Japan 23 reportsInfoJul 13, 2015 02:52 am (GMT +9)5.458 km82 km (51 mi) to the SW Kyushu, Japan 5 reportsInfoMar 14, 2014 02:06 am (GMT +9)6.379 km37 km (23 mi) to the W 32 km SSW of Hikari, Japan 11 reportsInfoSep 26, 2006 07:03 am (GMT +9)5.373 km66 km (41 mi) to the W 10 km north of Hiji, Oita Prefecture, JapanInfoApr 25, 2001 11:40 pm (GMT +9)5.733 km88 km (54 mi) to the SPhilippine Sea, 18 km southeast of Saiki, Oita Prefecture, JapanInfoMar 26, 2001 05:40 am (GMT +9)5.243 km56 km (35 mi) to the NEInland Sea, Ehime, 19 km south of Okino-shima Island, JapanInfoMar 24, 2001 03:27 pm (GMT +9)6.850 km62 km (38 mi) to the NEInland Sea, Hiroshima, 11 km south of Okino-shima Island, JapanInfoMay 23, 1998 04:49 am (GMT +9)5.581 km64 km (40 mi) to the W Kyushu, JapanInfoApr 3, 1997 06:47 am (GMT +9)5.146 km27 km (17 mi) to the SPhilippine Sea, 35 km northwest of Uwajima, Ehime, JapanInfoAug 14, 1993 10:29 am (GMT +9)5.041 km32 km (20 mi) to the SEPhilippine Sea, 21 km northwest of Uwajima, Ehime, JapanInfoOct 28, 1991 10:09 am (GMT +9)5.217 km95 km (59 mi) to the WInland Sea, 13 km south of Ube, Yamaguchi, JapanInfoMay 13, 1985 07:40 pm (GMT +9)5.644 km74 km (46 mi) to the SE Shikoku, JapanInfoApr 5, 1985 04:25 pm (GMT +9)5.1134 km64 km (40 mi) to the W 17 km north of Beppu, Oita Prefecture, JapanInfoAug 26, 1983 05:23 am (GMT +9)6.5126 km68 km (42 mi) to the W 26 km north of Beppu, Oita Prefecture, JapanInfoJun 19, 1983 06:29 am (GMT +9)5.171 km33 km (21 mi) to the WInland Sea, 44 km northeast of Oita, Oita Prefecture, JapanInfoJul 13, 1979 05:10 pm (GMT +9)5.969 km47 km (29 mi) to the NWInland Sea, 23 km south of Tokuyama, Yamaguchi, JapanInfoApr 21, 1975 02:35 am (GMT +9)6.17 km96 km (59 mi) to the SW 16 km SE of Tsukawaki, JapanInfoJul 26, 1970 07:41 am (GMT +9)7.045 km176 km (109 mi) to the SPhilippine Sea, 38 km northeast of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, JapanInfoApr 21, 1969 04:19 pm (GMT +9)7.039 km163 km (101 mi) to the SPhilippine Sea, 56 km northeast of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, JapanInfoAug 6, 1968 01:17 am (GMT +9)6.846 km41 km (25 mi) to the S Shikoku, JapanInfoAug 5, 1968 04:17 pm (GMT +9)6.00 km33 km (20 mi) to the SPhilippine Sea, 35 km west of Uwajima, Ehime, JapanInfoApr 1, 1968 09:42 am (GMT +9)7.534 km128 km (79 mi) to the SPhilippine Sea, Kochi, 58 km east of Nobeoka, Miyazaki, JapanInfoNov 14, 1964 12:56 pm (GMT +9)5.768 km24 km (15 mi) to the SWInland Sea, Ehime, 38 km northeast of Tsurusaki, Oita Prefecture, JapanInfoFeb 27, 1961 03:10 am (GMT +9)7.535 km218 km (135 mi) to the S 21 km south of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, JapanInfoJul 11, 1949 04:10 pm (Universal Time)6.145 km41 km (26 mi) to the N 22 km E of Yanai, JapanInfoNov 18, 1941 04:46 pm (Universal Time)8.035 km165 km (103 mi) to the SPhilippine Sea, 55 km northeast of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, JapanInfoFeb 27, 1937 02:41 pm (Universal Time)5.760 km40 km (25 mi) to the N 2.4 km southeast of Yanai, Yamaguchi, JapanInfoNov 2, 1931 10:03 am (Universal Time)7.935 km191 km (119 mi) to the SPhilippine Sea, 59 km east of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, JapanInfoAug 28, 1924 11:50 pm (Universal Time)6.415 km94 km (59 mi) to the W 17 km NNE of Tsukawaki, JapanInfoJan 12, 1914 09:00 am (GMT +9)7.10 km267 km (166 mi) to the SW 11 km east of Kagoshima, Kagoshima-ken, JapanInfoApr 13, 1913 06:40 am (Universal Time)7.235 km178 km (111 mi) to the SPhilippine Sea, 38 km east of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, JapanInfoNov 10, 1909 03:13 pm (GMT +9)7.90 km210 km (131 mi) to the SW Japan: KyushuInfoJun 2, 1905 02:39 pm (GMT +9)7.80 km49 km (30 mi) to the NW AkiInfoMap of earlier quakes in the area of this quakeMax results102050100AllMagnitudeAll2+3+4+5+6+7+8+Time before48 hours1 week30 days1 year5 years30 yearsAny ageOldest quakes are shown in yellow, most recent in red.[quakes -][quakes +][smaller][bigger]