Earthquakes in Timor-Leste — May 2025
10 earthquakes were recorded in Timor-Leste during May 2025, an average of 0.3 per day.
10 reached magnitude 4 or above and 2 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 260 km.
The month's largest event in Timor-Leste was a magnitude 5.9 earthquake near Manatutu, Timor-Leste on 15 May 2025 at 00:50 UTC. A magnitude 5.9 earthquake radiates roughly 10,676 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
That is close to the Timor-Leste monthly average of 9 events over the period we cover, and level with the 10 recorded the previous month.
10% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 50% intermediate (70–300 km) and 40% 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 8 in the magnitude 4 range, 2 in the magnitude 5 range.
Activity peaked on 10 May, when 2 events were recorded.
The month's largest events were M5.9 near Manatutu, Timor-Leste on 15 May at 468 km; M5.3 near Lospalos, Timor-Leste on 09 May at 165 km; M4.8 near Pante Makasar, Timor-Leste on 31 May at 117 km.
That is 16% above the 9 events Timor-Leste averages per month across the 21 months on record.
Largest earthquakes in Timor-Leste, May 2025
10 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.9 | Manatutu, Timor-Leste | 467.9 | Timor-Leste | View details View | |
| 5.3 | Lospalos, Timor-Leste | 164.9 | Timor-Leste | View details View | |
| 4.8 | Pante Makasar, Timor-Leste | 117.2 | Timor-Leste | View details View | |
| 4.6 | Lospalos, Timor-Leste | 10.0 | Timor-Leste | View details View | |
| 4.4 | Lospalos, Timor-Leste | 100.3 | Timor-Leste | View details View | |
| 4.4 | Maubara, Timor-Leste | 546.5 | Timor-Leste | View details View | |
| 4.3 | Maubara, Timor-Leste | 555.1 | Timor-Leste | View details View | |
| 4.2 | Lospalos, Timor-Leste | 347.0 | Timor-Leste | View details View | |
| 4.1 | Lospalos, Timor-Leste | 133.6 | Timor-Leste | View details View | |
| 4.0 | Lospalos, Timor-Leste | 152.8 | Timor-Leste | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit Timor-Leste in May 2025?
10 earthquakes were recorded in Timor-Leste during May 2025, of which 10 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in Timor-Leste in May 2025?
A magnitude 5.9 event near Manatutu, Timor-Leste on 15 May 2025.
Other months in Timor-Leste
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.