M 7.3 - 234 km SE of ?funato, Japan
December 7, 2012 at 08:18:23 UTC
Depth: 31.00 km (Shallow)
Key Takeaway
This major earthquake (M7.3) occurred 13 years ago near 234 km SE of ?funato, Japan, at a depth of 31.00 km (shallow). It was felt by 320 people.
Major
PAGER Alert
Tsunami
Felt Reports
Event Details
| Magnitude | 7.3 mww |
| Depth | 31.00 km (Shallow) |
| Location | 37.8900N, 143.9490E |
| Community Intensity | VI (Strong) |
| Mercalli Intensity | V (Moderate) |
| Felt Reports (DYFI) | 320 people |
| Tsunami Warning | No |
| Significance | 1021 / 3000 |
| Status | Reviewed |
| Network | us |
| USGS Event Page | View on USGS → |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the magnitude of this earthquake?
This earthquake had a magnitude of 7.3, classified as "Major". Major earthquakes can cause serious damage over large areas.
How deep was this earthquake?
This earthquake occurred at a depth of 31.00 km, classified as "Shallow". Shallow earthquakes tend to cause more damage at the surface because the energy has less distance to travel before reaching buildings and infrastructure.
Where exactly did this earthquake occur?
This earthquake occurred near 234 km SE of ?funato, Japan, at coordinates 37.8900N, 143.9490E. The location is determined by analyzing seismic wave arrival times at multiple monitoring stations.
Were there aftershocks associated with this event?
Aftershock data for this specific event can be explored by viewing nearby recent earthquakes listed below on this page. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that occur in the same area following a larger event, and they can continue for days, weeks, or even months depending on the original earthquake's magnitude.
What does the magnitude of this earthquake mean in practical terms?
A magnitude 7.3 earthquake is classified as "Major" — these can cause serious damage to buildings and infrastructure across a wide area, especially near the epicenter.
Nearby Recent Earthquakes
16 km SSE of Hachinohe, Japan
13 years ago · 106.60 km deep
60 km SE of Hachinohe, Japan
13 years ago · 95.50 km deep
13 km ESE of Miyako, Japan
13 years ago · 62.40 km deep
27 km ESE of Ichinoseki, Japan
13 years ago · 89.40 km deep
126 km NE of Miyako, Japan
13 years ago · 35.00 km deep
26 km SE of Kamaishi, Japan
13 years ago · 60.50 km deep
43 km NE of Ishinomaki, Japan
13 years ago · 50.50 km deep
31 km ENE of Ishinomaki, Japan
13 years ago · 34.90 km deep
near the east coast of Honshu, Japan
13 years ago · 55.60 km deep
40 km ESE of Ishinomaki, Japan
13 years ago · 59.80 km deep
More Earthquakes in Japan
50 km NNW of Hirara, Japan
18 hours ago · 10.00 km deep
57 km ESE of Ōfunato, Japan
20 hours ago · 60.39 km deep
28 km NNE of Hirara, Japan
1 day ago · 10.00 km deep
34 km NW of Hirara, Japan
2 days ago · 46.20 km deep
53 km NW of Hirara, Japan
2 days ago · 10.16 km deep
123 km E of Miyako, Japan
3 days ago · 35.00 km deep
67 km NW of Hirara, Japan
4 days ago · 10.00 km deep
57 km NNW of Hirara, Japan
4 days ago · 10.00 km deep
More M7.0-8.0 Earthquakes
55 km NNW of Kota Belud, Malaysia
1 week ago · 619.85 km deep
2025 Aomori Prefecture, Japan Earthquake
2 months ago · 40.72 km deep
2025 Hubbard Glacier Earthquake
3 months ago · 10.32 km deep
Drake Passage
4 months ago · 5.64 km deep
12 km E of Santiago, Philippines
4 months ago · 59.43 km deep
140 km E of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia
5 months ago · 27.00 km deep
105 km E of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia
5 months ago · 58.00 km deep
2025 Southern Drake Passage Earthquake
6 months ago · 10.00 km deep
Data from the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program (ComCat). QuakeScan is not affiliated with the USGS. Event details may be updated as new data becomes available.