Shallow M6.2 earthquake hits East Timor region

east timor earthquake m6.2 may 27, 2022

A shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit East Timor region at 02:36 UTC on May 27, 2022. The agency is reporting a depth of 49 km (30 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.3 at a depth of 60 km (37 miles).

The epicenter was located 38.2 km (23.7 miles) NE of Lospalos (population 17 186), 86.4 km (53.7 miles) ENE of Baukau (population 16 000), and 101.2 km (62.9 miles) ENE of Venilale (population 16 000), Timor Leste.

There are about 220 000 people living within 100 km (62 miles).

25 000 people are estimated to have felt strong shaking, 73 000 moderate, and 804 000 light

The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.

Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are unreinforced brick with concrete floor and precast concrete frame with wall construction.

Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.

east timor earthquake m6.2 may 27, 2022 location map
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google

Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking

east timor earthquake m6.2 may 27 2022 usgs epe
east timor earthquake m6.2 may 27 2022 usgs epet

Selected cities exposed

east timor earthquake m6.2 may 27 2022 usgs sce

Regional seismicity

east timor earthquake m6.2 may 27 2022 emsc regional seismicity

Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google

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