On March 23 and 24, 2025, a series of notable earthquakes were reported worldwide, ranging from minor tremors to significant seismic events, reminding us of the earth's constant activity beneath our feet.
According to data compiled by Earthquake Monitor, the earthquake activity on Sunday, March 23, 2025, included two notable occurrences of magnitude 5 or greater, alongside 27 earthquakes with magnitudes of 4 and 170 with magnitudes of 3.
In total, there were 320 earthquakes recorded with a magnitude of 2 or higher on this day alone. The estimated total seismic energy released across these earthquakes was an astonishing 1.5 x 1013 Joules, equivalent to approximately 0.2 atomic bombs or 3472 tons of TNT, comparable to a single earthquake of magnitude 5.6.
Among the strongest tremors reported on March 23 was a 4.4 magnitude earthquake in the South Pacific Ocean off the coast of New Zealand, which occurred at 12:17 PM GMT+9. This was closely followed by a 4.3 magnitude quake located 288 kilometers east of Levuka, Fiji, at 8:24 PM GMT+13.
Felt earthquakes also made headlines, including a 3.5 magnitude tremor in the Caribbean Sea, just north of Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis. This quake was reported at 07:18 AM GMT-4, with six eyewitness accounts gathered. In Algeria, two quakes of magnitude 3.3 and 3.5 were recorded southeast of Algier, along with a 3.8 magnitude incident in Coahuila, Mexico.
Moving into Monday, March 24, the seismic activity showed a slight increase. Reports indicated four earthquakes of magnitude 5 or greater and 33 at magnitude 4, alongside 156 quakes measuring at least 3 and 351 minor earthquakes of magnitude 2.
The seismic energy released on March 24 surged to an estimated 2.3 x 1013 Joules, translating to about 0.3 atomic bombs or 5542 tons of TNT—comparable to an earthquake of magnitude 5.7.
Significant earthquakes on this day included a magnitude 5.2 quake located 24 kilometers north of La Serena, Chile, which struck at 01:35 AM Santiago Time. Another key event was a 5.0 magnitude earthquake just southwest of Xuyong, Sichuan, China, at 07:21 PM Shanghai Time.
Felt quakes also included a 4.4 magnitude tremor in the North Atlantic Ocean close to Faro, Portugal, attaining 61 reports, and a 4.6 magnitude quake in the South Pacific Ocean, northeast of Isla Santa Maria, Chile, drawing 57 eyewitness accounts.
Further shaking was reported in Limassol, Cyprus, with a magnitude 3.2 quake at 8:04 AM GMT+2 that received 45 reports from local residents.
Another notable earthquake occurred near Blangpidie in Indonesia, where a 4.5 magnitude tremor struck at 09:26 PM local time at a depth of 10 kilometers.
In the wake of these events, researchers continue monitoring the seismic data to gain insights into earthquake patterns and potential future risks. Earthquake Monitor engages actively in the assessment of seismic activities worldwide, including comprehensive data collection and analysis.
This uptick in global seismic activity underscores the importance of preparedness and resilience, emphasizing the need for communities to be informed about earthquake readiness. Understanding seismic trends can help mitigate the impacts of future tremors on vulnerable populations.
The collective data reflects not just numbers, but a continuous narrative of our planet’s dynamic nature, as it constantly rearranges its structure through natural events like earthquakes.
As countries worldwide assess their earthquake preparedness plans in the aftermath of these recent quakes, it reinforces the critical need for education, resources, and community collaboration to withstand such natural disasters effectively.
