4.3

M4.3 Earthquake 240 km N of Lospalos, Timor LesteDecember 10, 2021

2021-12-10 19:45:05 UTC (2021-12-10) · approx. 3:45 AM UTC+8 local

MagnitudeM4.3(mb)
Time19:45 UTC3:45 AM UTC+8
Depth404.1 kmdeep-focus
Coordinates-6.388°, 127.416°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On December 10, 2021 at 19:45 UTC, a magnitude 4.3 deep-focus earthquake struck 240 km N of Lospalos, Timor Leste, at a depth of 404.1 km and coordinates -6.3883°, 127.4162°.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 43 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 558 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 5.0 mainshock that occurred 23 days ago 209 km NNE of Lospalos, Timor Leste. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 5 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at -6.39°, 127.42°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.3 mb
Depth
404.1 km
deep-focus
Location
-6.3883°N
127.4162°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000gcfv
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
284
Azimuthal Gap
66.0°
Min Station Distance
4.572°
RMS Residual
0.81 sec
Last Updated
2022-02-24 21:01:14 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.3 earthquake near Lospalos, Timor Leste?

The magnitude 4.3 earthquake that struck 240 km N of Lospalos, Timor Leste on December 10, 2021 at 19:45 UTC had a depth of 404.1 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 4.3 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.

Is this the same earthquake as the M5.0 one earlier?

No. This magnitude 4.3 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.0 mainshock that occurred earlier 209 km NNE of Lospalos, Timor Leste. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.

Understanding This Data

Magnitude 4.3 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.

Learn more about magnitude →

Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000gcfv). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2021, December 10, 2021). M4.3 Earthquake 240 km N of Lospalos, Timor LesteDecember 10, 2021. Retrieved February 24, 2022 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000gcfv/