M4.5 Earthquake in the Azores Islands region — September 12, 2025
2025-09-12 20:33:25 UTC (2025-09-12) · approx. 6:33 PM UTC-2 local
On September 12, 2025 at 20:33 UTC, a magnitude 4.5 shallow crustal earthquake struck in the Azores Islands region, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 42.4932°, -28.8979°. This earthquake was detected by 18 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.
Earthquake Details
-28.8979°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.5 earthquake in the Azores Islands region?
The magnitude 4.5 earthquake that struck in the Azores Islands region on September 12, 2025 at 20:33 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 42.4932°, -28.8979°, which is in the Azores Islands region.
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.
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: us6000rem0). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, September 12, 2025). M4.5 Earthquake in the Azores Islands region — September 12, 2025. Retrieved May 28, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000rem0/