M4.5 Earthquake 188 km N of Dili, Timor Leste — August 12, 2025
2025-08-12 20:45:17 UTC (2025-08-12) · approx. 4:45 AM UTC+8 local
Aftershock of the M5.9 mainshock.
On August 12, 2025 at 20:45 UTC, a magnitude 4.5 deep-focus earthquake struck 188 km N of Dili, Timor Leste, at a depth of 520.7 km and coordinates -6.8749°, 125.3117°. This earthquake was detected by 91 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 312, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 85 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 767 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 25 days ago 193 km N of Metinaro, 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
125.3117°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.5 earthquake near Dili, Timor Leste?
The magnitude 4.5 earthquake that struck 188 km N of Dili, Timor Leste on August 12, 2025 at 20:45 UTC had a depth of 520.7 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -6.8749°, 125.3117°, which is 188 km N of Dili, Timor Leste.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.5 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 4.5 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.9 mainshock that occurred earlier 193 km N of Metinaro, Timor Leste. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
Actions
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000r073). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, August 12, 2025). M4.5 Earthquake 188 km N of Dili, Timor Leste — August 12, 2025. Retrieved October 25, 2025 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000r073/