Recent earthquakes near Tokyo
Tokyo sits above the meeting point of the Pacific, Philippine Sea, and North American plates, one of the most tectonically complex settings of any major city. Shallow inland faults and deeper subduction interfaces both threaten the region. The 1923 Great Kantō earthquake (M7.9) struck just southwest of the city and reshaped Japanese building codes. In the past 24 hours, Tokyo has recorded no earthquakes above the reporting threshold.
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Time (UTC) | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4.6 | Sep 6, 12:17 UTC | 35 km | 219 km SSE of Wada, Japan |
Notable recent activity
An M4.6 earthquake struck 219 km SSE of Wada, Japan at 12:17 UTC on Sep 6 at a depth of 35 km.
Frequently asked questions
Does Tokyo get a lot of earthquakes?
Yes. The Tokyo metropolitan area feels dozens of small earthquakes each year and larger ones periodically, because three tectonic plates interact directly beneath it. Most are minor, but the region is monitored closely for larger interplate events.
Is Tokyo overdue for a big earthquake?
Japanese government studies estimate a roughly 70% chance of a magnitude 7 or greater earthquake striking beneath the greater Tokyo area within 30 years. This reflects long-term strain accumulation, not a prediction of exact timing.
What was the biggest earthquake near Tokyo?
The 1923 Great Kantō earthquake, magnitude 7.9, is the most destructive in Tokyo's modern history. It struck Sagami Bay to the southwest and, with the fires that followed, caused about 105,000 deaths.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.