Recent Magnitude 5 Earthquakes Worldwide
3195 earthquakes between magnitude 5.0 and 5.9 have been recorded worldwide since December 2024 — an average of 160 per month. The most recent are listed below.
Moderate earthquakes can damage poorly built or unreinforced structures near the epicentre, while well-engineered buildings typically escape serious harm. Shaking is often strong enough to wake sleeping residents over a wide area. A magnitude 5.5 earthquake radiates roughly 2,682 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
The average focal depth for events in this band is 51 km.
The countries recording the most earthquakes in this magnitude band are ኢትዮጵያ (9), Indonesia (6), 中国 (6), Vanuatu (5), the Philippines (5).
Events in this band make up 1.9% of every earthquake in the catalogue. A magnitude 5 releases about 32 times the energy of a magnitude 4, and about 1,000 times that of a magnitude 3.
82% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 15% intermediate (70–300 km) and 3% deep-focus (over 300 km). The mix is dominated by shallow crustal events, with a minority of intermediate-depth activity.
The largest event in this band on record here is a magnitude 6.0 earthquake near Honaunau-Napoopoo, Hawaii on 23 May 2026, at a focal depth of 23 km.
93 earthquakes in this magnitude band carry a USGS link to NOAA tsunami information. The flag does not mean that a tsunami occurred.
Magnitude 5 earthquakes, newest first
100 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
Frequently asked questions
How often do magnitude 5 earthquakes happen?
Our catalogue contains 3195 earthquakes in the magnitude 5.0–5.9 band, an average of 160 per month. Globally, each step down the magnitude scale is roughly ten times more frequent than the step above it.
Where do most magnitude 5 earthquakes occur?
The countries recording the most events in this band are ኢትዮጵያ (9), Indonesia (6), 中国 (6), Vanuatu (5), the Philippines (5). Offshore events along subduction trenches and mid-ocean ridges are recorded under a regional name rather than a country.
How strong is a magnitude 5 earthquake?
Moderate earthquakes can damage poorly built or unreinforced structures near the epicentre, while well-engineered buildings typically escape serious harm. Shaking is often strong enough to wake sleeping residents over a wide area. A magnitude 5.0 earthquake radiates roughly 477 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
Countries with magnitude 5 earthquakes
For what a magnitude 5 earthquake actually feels like and how the scale works, read the full explainer. See our guides on the magnitude scale, focal depth and why earthquakes cluster.