Earthquakes in Iceland — May 2025
7 earthquakes were recorded in Iceland during May 2025, an average of 0.2 per day.
7 reached magnitude 4 or above and 1 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 10 km.
The month's largest event in Iceland was a magnitude 5.3 earthquake near Höfn, Iceland on 05 May 2025 at 21:14 UTC. A magnitude 5.3 earthquake radiates roughly 1,344 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
That is well above the Iceland monthly average of 2 events over the period we cover — an unusually active month, and up from the 4 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 6 in the magnitude 4 range, 1 in the magnitude 5 range.
Activity peaked on 24 May, when 3 events were recorded.
The month's largest events were M5.3 near Höfn, Iceland on 05 May at 10 km; M4.9 near Sandgerði, Iceland on 24 May at 10 km; M4.7 near Norðurþing, Iceland on 13 May at 10 km.
That is 197% above the 2 events Iceland averages per month across the 14 months on record.
Largest earthquakes in Iceland, May 2025
7 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3 | Höfn, Iceland | 10.0 | Iceland | View details View | |
| 4.9 | Sandgerði, Iceland | 10.0 | Iceland | View details View | |
| 4.7 | Norðurþing, Iceland | 10.0 | Iceland | View details View | |
| 4.6 | Norðurþing, Iceland | 10.0 | Iceland | View details View | |
| 4.4 | Keflavík, Iceland | 10.0 | Iceland | View details View | |
| 4.3 | Iceland region | 10.0 | Iceland | View details View | |
| 4.3 | Reykjanesbær, Iceland | 10.0 | Iceland | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit Iceland in May 2025?
7 earthquakes were recorded in Iceland during May 2025, of which 7 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in Iceland in May 2025?
A magnitude 5.3 event near Höfn, Iceland on 05 May 2025.
Other months in Iceland
Magnitudes for May 2025 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.