Country profile · USGS ComCat
Earthquakes in Timor Leste
Timor Leste has catalogued 3,429 M4+ earthquakes since 2005 (ranked 21st of 187 countries), with the strongest reaching magnitude M7.5.
Timor Leste ranks 21st of 187 countries by catalogued seismic activity - a highly seismically active country, averaging about 163 M4+ events a year alongside 89 significant M6+ earthquakes since 1900. Its M6+ record runs from 1905 to 2026, peaking in 2008.
- 3,429
- M4+ events (since 2005)
- 89
- Major M6+ (since 1900)
- M7.5
- Strongest
- ~163
- M4+ per year
The verdict
Timor Leste is more seismically active than most places tracked here, with 3,429 M4+ earthquakes logged since 2005 and 89 major M6+ events since 1900, the strongest reaching magnitude 7.5.
- 2008
- busiest year (6 major events)
- 156 km
- average recorded event depth
- 47%
- of events are shallow (<70 km, the most damaging kind)
Average catalogued magnitude is 4.4 - most events are moderate M4-5 tremors that are felt but rarely cause damage. On the M4+ activity ladder Afghanistan sits immediately above at 3,497 events and Taiwan sits immediately below at 2,540.
ComCat country tape
Event tape TIMOR-LESTE · Timor Leste M4+ · 21st/187
Timor Leste · 3,429 M4+ · max M7.5 · 89 M6+
- M6 3,429
- DEPTH 21st/187
- PHOTO M7.5
- BUSY 89
- SHAL near Afghanistan
- PCT 47% shallow
Stamps derive from this country's USGS ComCat row (M4+ book, rank, peak magnitude, M6+ record, ladder neighbour, depth/peak year), not a hazard forecast. PlainQuake is informational only - not professional advice and not a substitute for official USGS guidance. See our disclaimer. Verify with USGS ComCat → · Read with methodology → · How earthquakes are measured → · Reading earthquake data → · All country catalog rows → · Countries ranked →
Observed impact record
What ComCat observed after earthquakes in Timor Leste
USGS recorded Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) for 59 events in this catalogued record; their average observed intensity was MMI 5.4. These are only events with an observation, not an estimate of future shaking or a safety rating.
- MMI observations
- 59
- Average observed MMI
- 5.4
- PAGER alerts / tsunami flags
- 12 / 0
Source: USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat) GeoJSON impact fields. Missing MMI, alert, and tsunami values remain unreported rather than being treated as zero.
Where Timor Leste sits in the catalog
Rank 21st of 187 tracked countries (89th percentile by M4+ count since 2005). On the M4+ activity ladder Afghanistan sits immediately above at 3,497 events and Taiwan sits immediately below at 2,540.
- Afghanistan - next more active (3,497 M4+)
- Taiwan - next less active (2,540 M4+)
Timor Leste's M4+ count vs. every tracked country
Total catalogued M4+ events since 2005, USGS ComCat
3,429 Top 11% higher than 89% of 187 countries
Each bar is a 500-wide band; taller bars hold more countries. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat) · 2005-present
Major (M6+) earthquakes in Timor Leste by year
Count of significant (magnitude 6.0+) events catalogued each year
- 2010
2010: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2011
2011: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2013
2013: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2014
2014: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2015
2015: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2016
2016: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2018
2018: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2019
2019: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2021
2021: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2022
2022: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2025
2025: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2026
2026: 1 major (M6+) events
1
What this shows Timor Leste's most active year for major earthquakes was 2008 (6 M6+ events). Major-quake counts are irregular, they track the episodic release of tectonic stress, not a smooth trend.
How Timor Leste earthquake activity changed recently
| Year | M4+ events | YoY change | Global YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0.0% | -43.9% |
| 2022 | 2 | +100.0% | -8.9% |
Timor Leste's M4+ activity rose faster than the global average in 2026: 0.0% locally vs -43.9% globally, a 43.9-point gap.
Source: USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat). M4+ = magnitude 4.0 or greater. YoY = year-on-year change. Global column uses the worldwide total from the same catalog.
24 of 3,429 catalogued M4+ events since 2005 reached M6.0 or higher.
Magnitude distribution of major events
Breakdown of the 89 significant (M6+) earthquakes on record for Timor Leste.
M7.0-7.9
10
11.2%
M6.0-6.9
79
88.8%
Depth of major earthquakes
Hypocentral depth of the 89 M6+ events, shallow quakes shake the surface hardest. Average depth: 156 km.
Shallow (<70 km)
42
47.2% of events
Intermediate (70–300 km)
29
32.6% of events
Deep (>300 km)
18
20.2% of events
Strongest earthquakes in Timor Leste
The 10 most powerful events on record (USGS, since 1900).
| Mag | Location | Depth | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.5 | 63 km NW of Maubara, Timor Leste | 10.0 km | Nov 11, 2004 |
| 7.3 | 125 km NNE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 165.5 km | Dec 29, 2021 |
| 7.3 | 172 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 178.5 km | Nov 24, 1983 |
| 7.3 | 145 km NNE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 140.0 km | Aug 30, 1917 |
| 7.2 | 187 km N of Baukau, Timor Leste | 430.5 km | Feb 11, 1969 |
| 7.2 | 58 km ENE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 35.0 km | Sep 29, 1905 |
| 7.1 | 297 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 141.9 km | Dec 25, 1995 |
| 7.1 | 186 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 30.2 km | May 15, 1962 |
| 7.0 | 77 km N of Baukau, Timor Leste | 25.0 km | Feb 14, 1952 |
| 7.0 | 278 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 33.0 km | Nov 9, 1998 |
Significant earthquake record (89 events)
Every catalogued magnitude-6.0-and-above earthquake in Timor Leste since 1900, most recent first.
| Mag | Location | Depth | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0 | 215 km NNE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 10.0 km | Aug 24, 2026 |
| 6.2 | 57 km NW of Pante Makasar, Timor Leste | 75.0 km | Oct 26, 2025 |
| 6.2 | 37 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 49.0 km | May 27, 2022 |
| 6.0 | 184 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 119.0 km | Feb 1, 2022 |
| 7.3 | 125 km NNE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 165.5 km | Dec 29, 2021 |
| 6.3 | 197 km N of Likisá, Timor Leste | 539.0 km | Apr 6, 2019 |
| 6.4 | 226 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 136.0 km | Dec 1, 2018 |
| 6.7 | 151 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 152.0 km | Dec 21, 2016 |
| 6.5 | 47 km NW of Maubara, Timor Leste | 20.0 km | Nov 4, 2015 |
| 6.2 | 179 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 10.0 km | Aug 6, 2014 |
| 6.4 | 224 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 9.9 km | Dec 1, 2013 |
| 6.5 | 180 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 112.0 km | Sep 1, 2013 |
| 6.9 | 236 km N of Baukau, Timor Leste | 469.8 km | Aug 30, 2011 |
| 6.0 | 241 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 134.9 km | Dec 15, 2010 |
| 6.2 | 238 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 126.0 km | Feb 15, 2010 |
| 6.1 | 219 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 146.7 km | Jan 22, 2009 |
| 6.4 | 144 km NNW of Maubara, Timor Leste | 398.0 km | Dec 6, 2008 |
| 6.0 | 149 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 122.0 km | Jun 6, 2008 |
| 6.0 | 72 km N of Metinaro, Timor Leste | 10.0 km | Apr 19, 2008 |
| 6.1 | 79 km N of Metinaro, Timor Leste | 13.0 km | Apr 19, 2008 |
| 6.2 | 185 km ENE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 19.0 km | Feb 13, 2008 |
| 6.2 | 154 km NNE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 8.0 km | Jan 30, 2008 |
| 6.0 | 121 km NNE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 175.9 km | Dec 15, 2007 |
| 6.1 | 260 km NNE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 345.0 km | Nov 14, 2006 |
| 6.4 | 49 km NW of Maubara, Timor Leste | 10.0 km | Nov 11, 2004 |
| 7.5 | 63 km NW of Maubara, Timor Leste | 10.0 km | Nov 11, 2004 |
| 6.0 | 131 km N of Manatutu, Timor Leste | 409.2 km | Aug 28, 2003 |
| 6.2 | 279 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 33.0 km | Nov 20, 2001 |
| 6.0 | 138 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 131.8 km | Sep 18, 2001 |
| 6.4 | 211 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 141.9 km | Mar 3, 2000 |
| 7.0 | 278 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 33.0 km | Nov 9, 1998 |
| 6.7 | 282 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 33.0 km | Nov 9, 1998 |
| 6.1 | 298 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 215.6 km | Nov 3, 1997 |
| 7.1 | 297 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 141.9 km | Dec 25, 1995 |
| 6.0 | 279 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 180.6 km | Sep 18, 1995 |
| 6.9 | 27 km NNW of Maubara, Timor Leste | 11.2 km | May 14, 1995 |
| 6.2 | 218 km NNW of Maubara, Timor Leste | 595.6 km | Aug 30, 1994 |
| 6.5 | 138 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 158.8 km | Jul 13, 1994 |
| 6.4 | 226 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 33.0 km | Jan 20, 1993 |
| 6.3 | 216 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 140.2 km | Nov 7, 1991 |
| 6.9 | 81 km NW of Maubara, Timor Leste | 28.8 km | Jul 4, 1991 |
| 6.6 | 106 km N of Baukau, Timor Leste | 18.4 km | May 21, 1991 |
| 6.7 | 59 km N of Maubara, Timor Leste | 9.8 km | Jul 14, 1989 |
| 6.2 | 108 km NNE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 196.4 km | Feb 28, 1989 |
| 6.9 | 184 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 86.3 km | May 30, 1988 |
| 6.5 | 152 km N of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 314.5 km | Feb 20, 1988 |
| 6.7 | 108 km NNW of Pante Makasar, Timor Leste | 33.0 km | Nov 26, 1987 |
| 6.0 | 206 km NW of Maubara, Timor Leste | 627.9 km | May 27, 1986 |
| 6.0 | 197 km NNW of Maubara, Timor Leste | 595.5 km | Oct 25, 1985 |
| 6.4 | 108 km NNE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 136.9 km | Dec 12, 1983 |
| 7.3 | 172 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 178.5 km | Nov 24, 1983 |
| 6.2 | 150 km N of Manatutu, Timor Leste | 515.2 km | Oct 7, 1982 |
| 6.3 | 129 km N of Manatutu, Timor Leste | 450.0 km | Jun 22, 1982 |
| 6.1 | 268 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 179.0 km | Oct 17, 1981 |
| 6.0 | 214 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 167.0 km | Jun 16, 1980 |
| 6.1 | 257 km N of Manatutu, Timor Leste | 33.0 km | May 15, 1980 |
| 6.8 | 58 km N of Likisá, Timor Leste | 25.0 km | Aug 27, 1977 |
| 6.0 | 125 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 58.0 km | Jun 29, 1977 |
| 6.3 | 222 km ENE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 109.0 km | Oct 17, 1975 |
| 6.8 | 122 km N of Metinaro, Timor Leste | 404.6 km | Apr 4, 1972 |
| 6.6 | 66 km NW of Pante Makasar, Timor Leste | 87.5 km | Jun 28, 1970 |
| 7.2 | 187 km N of Baukau, Timor Leste | 430.5 km | Feb 11, 1969 |
| 6.0 | 291 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 150.6 km | Sep 27, 1968 |
| 6.2 | 226 km NW of Maubara, Timor Leste | 584.2 km | Nov 9, 1967 |
| 7.0 | 166 km NNW of Maubara, Timor Leste | 531.8 km | Jun 22, 1966 |
| 6.9 | 215 km NW of Maubara, Timor Leste | 586.3 km | Oct 18, 1964 |
| 6.8 | 250 km NNE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 357.8 km | Mar 21, 1964 |
| 6.0 | 18 km NNW of Suai, Timor Leste | 35.0 km | Apr 10, 1963 |
| 6.6 | 188 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 220.0 km | Feb 14, 1963 |
| 7.1 | 186 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 30.2 km | May 15, 1962 |
| 6.1 | 100 km ENE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 35.0 km | Mar 2, 1959 |
| 6.8 | 180 km N of Baukau, Timor Leste | 450.8 km | Jul 17, 1956 |
| 6.5 | 173 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 35.0 km | Jul 23, 1955 |
| 6.3 | 132 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 35.0 km | Oct 14, 1954 |
| 6.8 | 92 km NNW of Pante Makasar, Timor Leste | 25.0 km | Jun 26, 1953 |
| 6.8 | 89 km NW of Pante Makasar, Timor Leste | 25.0 km | Jun 25, 1953 |
| 7.0 | 77 km N of Baukau, Timor Leste | 25.0 km | Feb 14, 1952 |
| 6.7 | 49 km NW of Pante Makasar, Timor Leste | 35.0 km | Mar 9, 1951 |
| 6.1 | 38 km N of Likisá, Timor Leste | 25.0 km | Jun 11, 1940 |
| 6.2 | 261 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 15.0 km | Oct 7, 1939 |
| 6.2 | 22 km NNW of Manatutu, Timor Leste | 25.0 km | Dec 28, 1937 |
| 6.4 | 109 km N of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 25.0 km | Feb 27, 1936 |
| 6.2 | 90 km N of Baukau, Timor Leste | 10.0 km | Mar 30, 1930 |
| 6.9 | 84 km N of Metinaro, Timor Leste | 10.0 km | Mar 26, 1930 |
| 6.6 | 99 km NNW of Pante Makasar, Timor Leste | 35.0 km | Mar 28, 1923 |
| 7.3 | 145 km NNE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 140.0 km | Aug 30, 1917 |
| 6.7 | 284 km ENE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 15.0 km | May 30, 1909 |
| 6.8 | 11 km WSW of Ainaro, Timor Leste | 35.0 km | Mar 23, 1908 |
| 7.2 | 58 km ENE of Lospalos, Timor Leste | 35.0 km | Sep 29, 1905 |
Other countries in this catalog sample
A Timor Leste-keyed shuffle of the full 186-country roster, not the six nearest by count.
Peak-magnitude sample from the same roster
A second Timor Leste-keyed shuffle of countries with a recorded max magnitude.
Showing 6 of 186 countries with a recorded max magnitude.
According to the US Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program, PlainQuake's figures are rendered directly from 317,293 recorded M4+ earthquakes and 14,444 significant M6+ events (USGS ComCat, 2005-present) -- no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-08-26.