M4.2 Earthquake 221 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste — January 30, 2021
2021-01-30 19:43:01 UTC (2021-01-30) · approx. 4:43 AM UTC+9 local
On January 30, 2021 at 19:43 UTC, a magnitude 4.2 intermediate depth earthquake struck 221 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste, at a depth of 151.9 km and coordinates -7.2877°, 128.5855°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.2 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 30 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 476 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 5.9 mainshock that occurred 20 days ago 253 km ENE of Lospalos, Timor Leste. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 0 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
Earthquake Details
128.5855°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.2 earthquake near Lospalos, Timor Leste?
The magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck 221 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste on January 30, 2021 at 19:43 UTC had a depth of 151.9 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.2 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.9 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.2 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.9 mainshock that occurred earlier 253 km ENE of Lospalos, Timor Leste. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.2 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000dess). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2021, January 30, 2021). M4.2 Earthquake 221 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste — January 30, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2021 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000dess/