Earthquakes in the Northern Mariana Islands — May 2025
3 earthquakes were recorded in the Northern Mariana Islands during May 2025, an average of 0.1 per day.
3 reached magnitude 4 or above and 0 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 243 km.
The month's largest event in the Northern Mariana Islands was a magnitude 4.7 earthquake near Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands on 21 May 2025 at 20:11 UTC. A magnitude 4.7 earthquake radiates roughly 169 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
That is close to the the Northern Mariana Islands monthly average of 3 events over the period we cover, and down from the 4 recorded the previous month.
33% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 33% intermediate (70–300 km) and 33% deep-focus (over 300 km). That proportion of deep-focus events is the signature of a subduction zone: only a cold slab descending into the mantle stays brittle enough to rupture at those depths.
By band, the catalogue holds 3 in the magnitude 4 range.
The month's largest events were M4.7 near Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands on 21 May at 35 km; M4.5 near Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands on 02 May at 462 km; M4.3 near Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands on 09 May at 231 km.
That is 12% below the 3 events the Northern Mariana Islands averages per month across the 20 months on record.
Largest earthquakes in the Northern Mariana Islands, May 2025
3 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7 | Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands | 35.0 | Northern Mariana Islands | View details View | |
| 4.5 | Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands | 462.2 | Northern Mariana Islands | View details View | |
| 4.3 | Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands | 231.0 | Northern Mariana Islands | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit the Northern Mariana Islands in May 2025?
3 earthquakes were recorded in the Northern Mariana Islands during May 2025, of which 3 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in the Northern Mariana Islands in May 2025?
A magnitude 4.7 event near Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands on 21 May 2025.
Other months in the Northern Mariana Islands
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.