5.2

M5.2 Earthquake 148 km SSE of Lajes das Flores, PortugalSeptember 23, 2025

2025-09-23 06:25:26 UTC (2025-09-23) · approx. 4:25 AM UTC-2 local

MagnitudeM5.2(mww)
Time06:25 UTC4:25 AM UTC-2
Depth10.0 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates38.077°, -30.781°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On September 23, 2025 at 06:25 UTC, a magnitude 5.2 shallow crustal earthquake struck 148 km SSE of Lajes das Flores, Portugal, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 38.0774°, -30.7808°. This earthquake was detected by 135 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 416, placing it among routine seismic activity.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.2 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 951 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.3 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 38.08°, -30.78°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
5.2 mww
Depth
10.0 km
shallow crustal
Location
38.0774°N
-30.7808°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000rc8i
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
416
Stations Used
135
Azimuthal Gap
36.0°
Min Station Distance
4.168°
RMS Residual
0.71 sec
Last Updated
2025-12-06 16:00:09 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 5.2 earthquake near Lajes das Flores, Portugal?

The magnitude 5.2 earthquake that struck 148 km SSE of Lajes das Flores, Portugal on September 23, 2025 at 06:25 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.

Where did the earthquake occur?

The earthquake epicenter was located at 38.0774°, -30.7808°, which is 148 km SSE of Lajes das Flores, Portugal.

Were there aftershocks?

Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.2 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks and gradually diminish over time.

What should I do after an earthquake?

If you were in the affected area: check yourself and others for injuries, inspect your home for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. For detailed guidance, see our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.

Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000rc8i). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, September 23, 2025). M5.2 Earthquake 148 km SSE of Lajes das Flores, PortugalSeptember 23, 2025. Retrieved May 28, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000rc8i/