The 2017 Pohang earthquake was the most destructive earthquake ever recorded in South Korea, causing an estimated $290 million in damage.
Key Facts
- Magnitude (Mw)
- 5.5
- Magnitude (local scale)
- 5.4
- Hypocenter depth
- 7 km
- Estimated damage
- 300 billion won (~$290 million USD)
- Mercalli intensity
- VII
- Date
- November 15, 2017
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
South Korea sits in a region of moderate seismic activity. The Pohang area had experienced prior seismic events, and the 2017 earthquake occurred along fault structures in the North Gyeongsang Province region. The exact triggering mechanism was under scientific scrutiny, with later studies suggesting possible links to a nearby geothermal energy project.
On November 15, 2017, a magnitude 5.5 (Mw) earthquake struck near Heunghae in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. The hypocenter was located 7 km below the surface. The earthquake recorded a Modified Mercalli intensity of VII and was tied with the 2016 Gyeongju earthquake as the strongest recorded in South Korea since modern seismological observations began in 1978.
The earthquake caused an estimated 300 billion won (approximately US$290 million) in damage, making it the most destructive earthquake in South Korea's recorded history. Buildings were damaged, residents were displaced, and university entrance exams were postponed nationwide. The event intensified public and governmental scrutiny of seismic risk and geothermal energy projects in the country.