Recent earthquakes near Kobe
Kobe sits in Japan's Kansai region along a set of active strike-slip faults, including the Nojima Fault on adjacent Awaji Island. The 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake ruptured here at magnitude 6.9, one of Japan's costliest disasters. The region also faces long-term risk from the offshore Nankai Trough. In the past 24 hours, Kobe has recorded no earthquakes above the reporting threshold.
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 1995 Kobe earthquake?
The January 17, 1995 magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck directly beneath the Kobe area at shallow depth. It killed about 6,400 people, destroyed tens of thousands of buildings, and prompted major revisions to Japan's seismic engineering standards.
Does Kobe still get earthquakes?
Yes. Kobe lies within an active fault network in western Japan and continues to record small earthquakes. The 1995 rupture relieved strain on one fault, but neighbouring faults and the Nankai Trough remain sources of future events.
Why was Kobe's earthquake so damaging?
The 1995 rupture was shallow and struck directly beneath a dense urban area on soft ground that amplified the shaking. Many older buildings and elevated structures had not been designed for such intense near-fault motion.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.