M4.6 Earthquake 178 km N of Metinaro, Timor Leste — October 20, 2025
2025-10-20 22:31:55 UTC (2025-10-20) · approx. 6:31 AM UTC+8 local
Aftershock of the M5.9 mainshock.
On October 20, 2025 at 22:31 UTC, a magnitude 4.6 deep-focus earthquake struck 178 km N of Metinaro, Timor Leste, at a depth of 509.1 km and coordinates -6.9147°, 125.7048°. This earthquake was detected by 86 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 326, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.6 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 120 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 899 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 19 days ago 192 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
125.7048°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.6 earthquake near Metinaro, Timor Leste?
The magnitude 4.6 earthquake that struck 178 km N of Metinaro, Timor Leste on October 20, 2025 at 22:31 UTC had a depth of 509.1 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -6.9147°, 125.7048°, which is 178 km N of Metinaro, Timor Leste.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.6 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 4.6 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.9 mainshock that occurred earlier 192 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: us6000rid1). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, October 20, 2025). M4.6 Earthquake 178 km N of Metinaro, Timor Leste — October 20, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000rid1/