March 17, 2025 Earthquake: Tapanuli, N Sumatera, Indonesia
A magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck Tapanuli, N Sumatera, Indonesia on March 17, 2025 at 22:23:37 UTC, 50 km below the surface. It killed 1 person.
Map
Where it struck, with the other significant earthquakes within 200 km. Circles are sized and colored by magnitude; select one for its page.
The earthquake
- Date
- March 17, 2025
- Time
- 22:23:37 UTC
- Place
- Tapanuli, N Sumatera, Indonesia
- Magnitude
- 5.4 (Mw)
- Focal depth
- 50 km (31 mi)
- Intensity
- 5 on the Modified Mercalli scale
- Tsunami
- None recorded
- Epicenter
- 1.898° N, 99.135° E
- Country
- Indonesia
The toll
- Deaths
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Damage
- Limited (under about $1 million)
- Houses damaged
- Few (about 1 to 50)
Where the literature gives no number, NCEI records a description on a scale of 1 to 4, printed here in its words. Damage is in millions of US dollars of the year of the event, not adjusted for inflation.
What the record says
NCEI’s account, from the sources it cites.
Reference #13963:
Two earthquakes occurred on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 05:22:40 WIB and 05:23:53 WIB. Based on information from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the epicenter was located in the southeast of North Tapanuli, North Sumatra.
Based on data from USGS and GFZ, the first earthquake was a foreshock with a magnitude of M4.7 followed by a mainshock with a magnitude of M5.5 (USGS).
The earthquake was felt in several areas. In Tarutung the earthquake was felt with an intensity scale of IV-V MMI. Meanwhile, in the areas of Sibolga, Pinangsori and Padangsidempuan the earthquake was felt with an intensity scale of III MMI.
Based on information from the media (kabar24.bisnis.com) this earthquake has caused landslides and cut off road access connecting Pahae Jae District and Pahae Julu District. In addition, the landslide also hit 2 houses and caused 1 person to die and 1 person to be seriously injured. The earthquake also caused damage to several houses in Lobupining Village, Adiankoting District, North Tapanuli Regency.
Other significant earthquakes nearby
Within 200 km, the deadliest first.
- September 5, 2011, Sumatra, Indonesia
- December 17, 2006, Northern, Muarasipongi, Sumatera, Indonesia
- September 30, 2022, Sumatra, Indonesia
- April 25, 1987, N, Tarutung-Lake Toba,, Sumatera, Indonesia
- August 27, 1984, Tarutung, N Sumatera, Indonesia
- May 17, 1892, Padangsidimpuan, Lake Toba, Sumatra, Indonesia
- January 5, 1843, SW. Sumatra, Indonesia
- November 11, 1852, Sibolga, Sumatra, Indonesia
- February 4, 1971, Natal, Sibolga, Tarutung, Pasaman, Indonesia
- March 8, 1977, Sumatera,sinurat,talu, Indonesia
More
Significant earthquakes of 2025The 2000sEvery quake the USGS located in 2025Recent earthquakes near hereThis day in weather history
Sources
Significant earthquakes from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Hazard Database, cited as NCEI/WDS, doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7. Public domain. Read 2026-09-24. NCEI earthquake 10798.