Earthquakes in Australia — May 2026
3 earthquakes were recorded in Australia during May 2026, an average of 0.1 per day.
2 reached magnitude 4 or above and 0 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 12 km.
The month's largest event in Australia was a magnitude 4.5 earthquake near Yulara, Australia on 05 May 2026 at 00:16 UTC. A magnitude 4.5 earthquake radiates roughly 85 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
That is well above the Australia monthly average of 2 events over the period we cover — an unusually active month, and up from the 2 recorded the previous month.
100% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 0% intermediate (70–300 km) and 0% deep-focus (over 300 km). Almost everything here is crustal. That is characteristic of transform faulting or continental deformation rather than subduction — and it means shaking at the surface is strong for the magnitudes involved.
By band, the catalogue holds 1 in the magnitude 3 range, 2 in the magnitude 4 range.
The month's largest events were M4.5 near Yulara, Australia on 05 May at 10 km; M4.2 near Fitzroy Crossing, Australia on 11 May at 15 km; M3.2 near Mirboo North, Australia on 09 May at 10 km.
That is 58% above the 2 events Australia averages per month across the 10 months on record.
Largest earthquakes in Australia, May 2026
3 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 | Yulara, Australia | 10.0 | Australia | View details View | |
| 4.2 | Fitzroy Crossing, Australia | 14.8 | Australia | View details View | |
| 3.2 | Mirboo North, Australia | 10.0 | Australia | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit Australia in May 2026?
3 earthquakes were recorded in Australia during May 2026, of which 2 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in Australia in May 2026?
A magnitude 4.5 event near Yulara, Australia on 05 May 2026.
Other months in Australia
Magnitudes for May 2026 reflect the current USGS review status and may have been revised since first publication. See our guides on the magnitude scale, focal depth and why earthquakes cluster.