Overview

• A strong M6.3 earthquake struck near Esmeraldas, Ecuador, at 11:45 UTC on April 25, 2025, with a depth of 35 km.
• The epicenter was located 21 km northeast of Esmeraldas, affecting a region with over 3.6 million people experiencing varying levels of shaking.
• The USGS issued a Yellow alert for possible localized fatalities and a Green alert for low economic losses, indicating limited overall impact.
• No tsunami threat was identified, but the region’s reliance on vulnerable adobe and mud-wall structures raises concerns over structural damage.
• Recent seismic activity in the Pacific Ring of Fire highlights the area’s ongoing tectonic volatility and infrastructure challenges.