Earthquakes in Timor-Leste — January 2026
7 earthquakes were recorded in Timor-Leste during January 2026, an average of 0.2 per day.
7 reached magnitude 4 or above and 2 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 200 km.
The month's largest event in Timor-Leste was a magnitude 5.2 earthquake near Lospalos, Timor-Leste on 26 January 2026 at 00:54 UTC. A magnitude 5.2 earthquake radiates roughly 951 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 up from the 6 recorded the previous month.
0% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 86% intermediate (70–300 km) and 14% 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 5 in the magnitude 4 range, 2 in the magnitude 5 range.
Activity peaked on 19 January, when 2 events were recorded.
The month's largest events were M5.2 near Lospalos, Timor-Leste on 26 January at 167 km; M5.1 near Lospalos, Timor-Leste on 12 January at 102 km; M4.9 near Lospalos, Timor-Leste on 19 January at 186 km.
That is 19% below the 9 events Timor-Leste averages per month across the 21 months on record.
Largest earthquakes in Timor-Leste, January 2026
7 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.2 | Lospalos, Timor-Leste | 167.0 | Timor-Leste | View details View | |
| 5.1 | Lospalos, Timor-Leste | 101.7 | Timor-Leste | View details View | |
| 4.9 | Lospalos, Timor-Leste | 186.3 | Timor-Leste | View details View | |
| 4.6 | Lospalos, Timor-Leste | 145.8 | Timor-Leste | View details View | |
| 4.5 | Lospalos, Timor-Leste | 137.8 | Timor-Leste | View details View | |
| 4.4 | Baukau, Timor-Leste | 404.6 | Timor-Leste | View details View | |
| 4.3 | Lospalos, Timor-Leste | 259.0 | Timor-Leste | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit Timor-Leste in January 2026?
7 earthquakes were recorded in Timor-Leste during January 2026, of which 7 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in Timor-Leste in January 2026?
A magnitude 5.2 event near Lospalos, Timor-Leste on 26 January 2026.
Other months in Timor-Leste
Magnitudes for January 2026 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.