Earthquakes in Tanzania — May 2025
3 earthquakes were recorded in Tanzania 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 10 km.
The month's largest event in Tanzania was a magnitude 4.7 earthquake near Mbeya, Tanzania on 16 May 2025 at 00:53 UTC. A magnitude 4.7 earthquake radiates roughly 169 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
That is well above the Tanzania monthly average of 1 events over the period we cover — an unusually active 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 3 in the magnitude 4 range.
The month's largest events were M4.7 near Mbeya, Tanzania on 16 May at 10 km; M4.5 near Longido, Tanzania on 07 May at 10 km; M4.4 near Madimba, Tanzania on 18 May at 10 km.
That is 125% above the 1 events Tanzania averages per month across the 6 months on record.
Largest earthquakes in Tanzania, 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 | Mbeya, Tanzania | 10.0 | Tanzania | View details View | |
| 4.5 | Longido, Tanzania | 10.0 | Tanzania | View details View | |
| 4.4 | Madimba, Tanzania | 10.0 | Tanzania | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit Tanzania in May 2025?
3 earthquakes were recorded in Tanzania during May 2025, of which 3 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in Tanzania in May 2025?
A magnitude 4.7 event near Mbeya, Tanzania on 16 May 2025.
Other months in Tanzania
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.