An earthquake struck the Hyuga-Nada sea area off the coast of southern Kyushu at around 8:59 a.m. local time on October 25, Japan's Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. The agency estimated the magnitude at 5.3 and placed the focal depth as extremely shallow, with the Saga Shimbun reporting a depth of roughly 0 kilometers, citing JMA data.
The epicenter was located at approximately 31.8 degrees north latitude and 131.9 degrees east longitude, according to a Kyodo News dispatch carried by Ryukyu Shimpo.
Where the shaking was felt
The maximum seismic intensity recorded was 3 on the Japanese scale, which runs up to 7. Broadcaster MBC, in a report carried by Yahoo News Japan, said intensity 3 was observed in Kirishima City, Aira City and Kanoya City in Kagoshima Prefecture, with lighter shaking of intensity 2 and 1 recorded in surrounding areas.
A separate report from Yahoo News Japan citing MRT (Miyazaki Broadcasting) listed intensity 3 across several broader zones: Kumamoto City and Kumamoto's Amakusa-Ashikita area, Miyazaki's northern and southern plains and southern mountainous areas, and Kagoshima's Satsuma and Osumi regions. The Saga Shimbun reported that municipalities feeling intensity 3 included Aira, Kirishima and Kanoya in Kagoshima; Takanabe and Aya, among other municipalities, in Miyazaki; and Hikawa and Amakusa in Kumamoto.
Weaker shaking spread further afield. The Saga Shimbun said Saga Prefecture, well north of the epicenter, registered only intensity 1 in Saga City.
No tsunami warning
JMA stated there was no risk of a tsunami from this earthquake, a line repeated across all the outlets that covered the event, including MBC, MRT and the Saga Shimbun. No tsunami advisory or warning was issued for any coastal area.
Background: a seismically active offshore zone
Hyuga-Nada is a sea area off the Pacific coast of Kyushu, between Miyazaki and Kochi prefectures, that sits near a subduction zone and has a history of moderate and occasionally larger earthquakes.
What is known and what is not
Confirmed by JMA and multiple Japanese broadcasters: the magnitude (5.3), approximate time (8:59 a.m. on October 25), epicenter location in Hyuga-Nada, shallow depth, maximum intensity of 3, and the absence of any tsunami risk. Not covered in the available reports: any casualties, structural damage, or disruptions to transport, utilities or schools in the affected prefectures.
- Magnitude: 5.3 (JMA estimate)
- Time: approximately 8:59 a.m. local time, October 25
- Epicenter: Hyuga-Nada, roughly 31.8°N, 131.9°E
- Depth: extremely shallow (approximately 0 km per JMA data)
- Maximum intensity: 3, felt in parts of Kumamoto, Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures
- Tsunami risk: none, according to JMA
Questions
- What was the magnitude of the Hyuga-Nada earthquake on October 25?
- Japan's Meteorological Agency estimated the magnitude at 5.3, according to reports from MBC, MRT and Kyodo News.
- Was a tsunami warning issued?
- No. JMA stated there was no tsunami risk from this earthquake, and no advisory or warning was issued for any coastline.
- Which areas felt the strongest shaking?
- The maximum seismic intensity of 3 was recorded in parts of Kumamoto, Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, including cities such as Kirishima, Aira, Kanoya, Takanabe, Aya, Hikawa and Amakusa.
- How deep was the earthquake?
- JMA described the focal depth as extremely shallow; the Saga Shimbun reported a depth of approximately 0 kilometers based on JMA data.
- Where exactly is Hyuga-Nada?
- Hyuga-Nada is a sea area off the Pacific coast of Kyushu, roughly between Miyazaki and Kochi prefectures, and is a seismically active offshore zone.
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