Contact | RSS | EN | DE | EL | ES | FR | IT | RU

Strong mag. 5.1 earthquake - Eastern Mediterranean, 115 km south of Birkirkara, Malta, on Wednesday, Jan 18, 2023 at 4:54 pm (GMT +1) -

Strong mag. 5.1 earthquake - Eastern Mediterranean, 115 km south of Birkirkara, Malta, on Wednesday, Jan 18, 2023 at 4:54 pm (GMT +1) Strong mag. 5.1 earthquake - Eastern Mediterranean, 115 km south of Birkirkara, Malta, on Wednesday, Jan 18, 2023 at 4:54 pm (GMT +1)

Strong magnitude 5.1 earthquake at 10 km depth

18 Jan 15:57 UTC: First to report: VolcanoDiscovery after 3 minutes.
18 Jan 15:59: Now using data updates from GFZ
18 Jan 16:01: Magnitude recalculated from 4.9 to 4.8. Epicenter location corrected by 3.8 km (2.4 mi) towards WNW.
18 Jan 16:16: Now using data updates from USGS
Update Wed, 18 Jan 2023, 16:15

Moderate 4.8 quake hits near Birkirkara, Malta

4.8 quake 18 Jan 4:54 pm (GMT +1)
4.8 quake 18 Jan 4:54 pm (GMT +1)
A magnitude 4.8 earthquake near Birkirkara, Malta, was reported only 20 minutes ago by the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), considered one of the key international agencies that monitor seismic activity worldwide. The earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 km beneath the epicenter in the afternoon on Wednesday, January 18th, 2023, at 4:54 pm local time. The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report.
Our monitoring service identified a second report from the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) which listed the quake at magnitude 4.8 as well. A third agency, the citizen-seismograph network of RaspberryShake, reported the same quake at magnitude 4.8.
Towns or cities near the epicenter where the quake might have been felt as very weak shaking include Qrendi (pop. 2,500) located 111 km from the epicenter, Mqabba (pop. 2,900) 113 km away, Mdina (pop. 360) 115 km away, Imtarfa (pop. 2,400) 116 km away, Qormi (pop. 18,200) 116 km away, Paula (pop. 9,300) 116 km away, Birkirkara (pop. 21,700) 118 km away, Senglea (pop. 3,000) 118 km away, Ta'Xbiex (pop. 1,600) 119 km away, Birgu (pop. 2,900) 119 km away, Floriana (pop. 2,500) 119 km away, and Valleta (pop. 6,800) 120 km away.
VolcanoDiscovery will automatically update magnitude and depth if these change and follow up if other significant news about the quake become available. If you're in the area, please send us your experience through our reporting mechanism, either online or via our mobile app. This will help us provide more first-hand updates to anyone around the globe who wants to know more about this quake.

Download the Volcanoes & Earthquakes app and get one of the fastest seismic alerts online: Android | iOS

Earthquake details

Date & timeJan 18, 2023 15:54:46 UTC -
Local time at epicenterWednesday, Jan 18, 2023 at 4:54 pm (GMT +1)
StatusConfirmed
Magnitude5.1
Depth10.0 km
Epicenter latitude / longitude34.8698°N / 14.3276°E (Eastern Mediterranean, Malta)
Antipode34.87°S / 165.672°W
Shaking intensityWeak shaking
Felt34 reports
Primary data sourceUSGS (United States Geological Survey)
Nearby towns and cities108 km (67 mi) S of Żurrieq (pop: 9,150) | Show on map | Quakes nearby
110 km (68 mi) S of Mqabba (pop: 2,890) | Show on map | Quakes nearby
113 km (70 mi) S of Paula (pop: 9,260) | Show on map | Quakes nearby
113 km (70 mi) S of Qormi (pop: 18,200) | Show on map | Quakes nearby
113 km (70 mi) S of Mdina (pop: 360) | Show on map | Quakes nearby
114 km (71 mi) S of Imtarfa (pop: 2,430) | Show on map | Quakes nearby
114 km (71 mi) S of Senglea (pop: 2,960) | Show on map | Quakes nearby
115 km (71 mi) S of Birkirkara (pop: 21,700) | Show on map | Quakes nearby
115 km (71 mi) S of Birgu (pop: 2,940) | Show on map | Quakes nearby
115 km (72 mi) S of Floriana (pop: 2,520) | Show on map | Quakes nearby
115 km (72 mi) S of Ta’ Xbiex (pop: 1,640) | Show on map | Quakes nearby
116 km (72 mi) S of Valleta (pop: 6,790) | Show on map | Quakes nearby
129 km (80 mi) S of Għajnsielem (pop: 3,260) | Show on map | Quakes nearby
113 km (70 mi) S of Malta Island (pop: 388,200) | Show on map | Quakes nearby
Weather at epicenter at time of quakeClear Sky 17.3°C (63 F), humidity: 63%, wind: 10 m/s (20 kts) from SSW
Estimated seismic energy released2.8 x 1012 joules (783 megawatt hours, equivalent to 674 tons of TNT) | about seismic energy
Show interactive Map
[smaller] [bigger]

Data for the same earthquake reported by different agencies

Info: The more agencies report about the same quake and post similar data, the more confidence you can have in the data. It takes normally up to a few hours until earthquake parameters are calculated with near-optimum precision.
Mag.DepthLocationSource
5.110 kmMalta: Central Mediterranean SeaUSGS
5.110 kmMalta: Central Mediterranean SeaRaspberryShake
5.110 kmMalta: CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN SEAEMSC
4.914 kmMalta [Sea]INGV
5.110 kmMalta: Central Mediterranean SeaGFZ
5.110 kmMalta: Central Mediterranean SeaIRIS

User reports for this quake (34)

User reports estimate the perceived ground shaking intensity according to the MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) scale.
Contribute:
Leave a comment if you find a particular report interesting or want to add to it.
Flag as inappropriate.
Mark as helpful or interesting.
Send your own user report!
Translate
malta (113.4 km N of epicenter) [Map] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Doors creaked, computer monitor in front of me shook noticeably. Happened in roughly two bouts of shaking over approx 10 seconds | 6 users found this interesting.  
MOSTA (116.7 km N of epicenter) [Map] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s : Sat reading, felt slight shaking and about 10 seconds later a much stronger movement. Plants showed induced movement. No damage. | 4 users found this interesting.  
Valetta Malta (115.6 km N of epicenter) [Map] / Weak shaking (MMI III) : Top ( third) floor. Vase trembling. Vague feeling of movement. | 2 users found this interesting.  
Paula (112.1 km N of epicenter) [Map] / Weak shaking (MMI III) : Little vibrations | One user found this interesting.  
mosta (116.7 km N of epicenter) [Map] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : sitting in the kitchen of my home, while on the computer felt a weak swinging | One user found this interesting.  
Rabat (112.9 km N of epicenter) [Map] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 1-2 s : Things moving slightly | One user found this interesting.  
Malta (116.8 km N of epicenter) [Map] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Sitting on aofa | One user found this interesting.  
Sliema (116.6 km N of epicenter) [Map] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) : Sitting at home | One user found this interesting.  
Malta (120.5 km N of epicenter) [Map] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Aensnanamamakdkakksk | One user found this interesting.  
Birkirkara / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s : We've now had 9, in the past 24 hours, I believe it's known as a swarm - should we be concerned? | One user found this interesting.  
Mosta / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : On top floor, sitting on sofa. Moving forward and back | One user found this interesting.  
Sliema / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Light shaking | One user found this interesting.  
Balzan / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : The book case and the sofa I was lying on shake. | One user found this interesting. (reported through our app)  
Imtarfa (114 km N of epicenter) [Map] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s
St paul’s bay malta (119.8 km N of epicenter) [Map] / Weak shaking (MMI III)
Swieqi (117.7 km N of epicenter) [Map] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s
Swieqi (117.6 km N of epicenter) [Map] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s
Valletta malta (115.5 km N of epicenter) [Map] / Weak shaking (MMI III)
Sliema (117 km N of epicenter) [Map] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) (reported through our app)
Marsaskala, malta (112.2 km N of epicenter) [Map] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s
Pieta (114.6 km N of epicenter) [Map] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s (reported through our app)
Malta (117 km N of epicenter) [Map] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 5-10 s
Birkirkara / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 5-10 s : Shaking table and moving lights  
Mosta / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : On top floor, sitting on sofa. Moving forward and back  
Valletta / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 2-5 s
Sliema / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 10-15 s
Hamrun, Malta / Weak shaking (MMI III) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 2-5 s
Qormi / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging
Sliema, MALTA / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s
Swieqi / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s
Sliema / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s
Show more
Show more

Aftershocks

[More info]

Recorded aftershocks, latest first (63 quakes)

Date and timeMag
Depth
LocationDetails
Mar 8, 2023 05:33
3 weeks ago - felt
4.3

21 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 118 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Mar 8, 2023 04:22
3 weeks ago
3.1

19 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 116 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Feb 25, 2023 01:30
5 weeks ago
2.9

16 km
Eastern Mediterranean, MaltaMore
Feb 22, 2023 09:58
5 weeks ago
3.3

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 123 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Feb 20, 2023 10:51
6 weeks ago
3.0

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 126 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Feb 20, 2023 08:10
6 weeks ago
3.4

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 98 km S of Qormi, MaltaMore
Feb 16, 2023 20:49
6 weeks ago
3.7

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 124 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Feb 16, 2023 08:46
6 weeks ago
3.7

9.8 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 115 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Feb 15, 2023 23:42
6 weeks ago
2.4

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, MaltaMore
Feb 15, 2023 23:04
6 weeks ago
3.3

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 130 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Feb 15, 2023 17:06
6 weeks ago
2.4

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, MaltaMore
Feb 14, 2023 11:55
6 weeks ago
3.7

14 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 119 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Feb 14, 2023 02:01
6 weeks ago - felt
3.1

23 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 121 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Feb 12, 2023 02:30
7 weeks ago - felt
4.1

9.7 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 119 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Feb 8, 2023 11:41
7 weeks ago
3.6

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 126 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Feb 5, 2023 05:49
8 weeks ago
3.5

13 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 119 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Feb 4, 2023 11:46
8 weeks ago
3.1

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 111 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Feb 4, 2023 06:04
8 weeks ago - felt
4.9

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 114 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Feb 2, 2023 22:29
8 weeks ago
3.6

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 125 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Feb 2, 2023 21:24
8 weeks ago
3.0

22 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 120 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Feb 2, 2023 02:55
8 weeks ago - felt
3.4

15 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 119 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Feb 1, 2023 23:55
8 weeks ago
2.9

9 km
Eastern Mediterranean, MaltaMore
Feb 1, 2023 23:44
8 weeks ago
3.9

19 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 120 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Feb 1, 2023 22:21
8 weeks ago
2.9

17 km
Eastern Mediterranean, MaltaMore
Feb 1, 2023 04:37
8 weeks ago - felt
3.7

9 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 118 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 31, 2023 19:09
8 weeks ago - felt
4.0

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 126 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 31, 2023 19:02
8 weeks ago
3.7

11 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 135 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 31, 2023 12:12
8 weeks ago
3.1

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 123 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 31, 2023 06:57
8 weeks ago
3.7

20 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 122 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 31, 2023 00:43
8 weeks ago - felt
4.6

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 119 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 30, 2023 20:13
8 weeks ago - felt
3.5

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 122 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 30, 2023 20:10
8 weeks ago - felt
3.8

18 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 115 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 30, 2023 19:55
8 weeks ago - felt
5.3

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 98 km S of Żurrieq, MaltaMore
Jan 30, 2023 05:57
9 weeks ago
3.2

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 121 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 30, 2023 04:56
9 weeks ago
3.2

17 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 121 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 30, 2023 04:14
9 weeks ago - felt
2.9

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, MaltaMore
Jan 30, 2023 01:02
9 weeks ago - felt
4.3

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 119 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 29, 2023 18:06
9 weeks ago - felt
3.5

19 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 115 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 27, 2023 17:38
9 weeks ago - felt
4.2

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 124 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 27, 2023 02:32
9 weeks ago
3.8

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 125 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 26, 2023 18:04
9 weeks ago
3.8

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 130 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 26, 2023 01:52
9 weeks ago
3.4

26 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 120 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 26, 2023 01:49
9 weeks ago
3.2

1 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 121 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 26, 2023 01:05
9 weeks ago
3.7

14 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 118 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 25, 2023 21:51
9 weeks ago - felt
3.9

9.5 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 120 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 25, 2023 20:41
9 weeks ago
3.5

16 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 120 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 25, 2023 18:53
9 weeks ago
3.4

19 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 117 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 25, 2023 14:40
9 weeks ago
3.6

9.7 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 124 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 25, 2023 12:09
9 weeks ago
3.2

25 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 99 km S of Żurrieq, MaltaMore
Jan 25, 2023 11:57
9 weeks ago
2.9

23 km
Eastern Mediterranean, MaltaMore
Jan 25, 2023 07:54
9 weeks ago - felt
4.0

19 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 117 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 25, 2023 06:44
9 weeks ago
3.8

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 107 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 25, 2023 03:28
9 weeks ago
3.9

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 112 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 25, 2023 01:12
9 weeks ago
4.1

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 126 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 25, 2023 00:22
9 weeks ago
3.4

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 98 km S of Żurrieq, MaltaMore
Jan 24, 2023 22:10
9 weeks ago
3.8

39 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 136 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 24, 2023 20:25
9 weeks ago - felt
5.3

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 112 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 23, 2023 15:28
10 weeks ago
3.5

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 127 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 22, 2023 14:21
10 weeks ago
3.5

16 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 116 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 19, 2023 04:22
10 weeks ago - felt
3.8

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 118 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 19, 2023 04:15
10 weeks ago
3.6

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 127 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 18, 2023 23:29
10 weeks ago
3.5

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 116 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Jan 18, 2023 17:00
10 weeks ago - felt
4.7

10 km
Eastern Mediterranean, 110 km S of Birkirkara, MaltaMore
Show all

Earlier earthquakes in the same area

Try our free app!
Volcanoes & Earthquakes - new app for Android
Android | iOS version

Support us - Help us upgrade our services!

We truly love working to bring you the latest volcano and earthquake data from around the world. Maintaining our website and our free apps does require, however, considerable time and resources.
We need financing to increase hard- and software capacity as well as support our editor team. We're aiming to achieve uninterrupted service wherever an earthquake or volcano eruption unfolds, and your donations can make it happen! Every donation will be highly appreciated. If you find the information useful and would like to support our team in integrating further features, write great content, and in upgrading our soft- and hardware, please make a donation (PayPal or Online credit card payment).

Planned features:
  • Improved multilanguage support
  • Tsunami alerts
  • Faster responsiveness
Thanks to your past donations, these features have been added recently:
  • Design upgrade
  • Detailed quake stats
  • Additional seismic data sources
Download and Upgrade the Volcanoes & Earthquakes app to get one of the fastest seismic and volcano alerts online:
Android | IOS
Thank you!
Sources: VolcanoDiscovery / VolcanoAdventures and other sources as noted.
Use of material: Most text and images on our websites are owned by us. Re-use is generally not permitted without authorization. Contact us for licensing rights.
Volcanoes & Earthquakes
VolcanoDiscovery Home
Volcanoes | Earthquakes | Photos | Volcano News | App
Adventure & Study Travel
Tours to Volcanoes and Volcanic Areas: walking tours, photo tours, study tours
Tours & Dates | FAQ | About us
Get our newsletter!
Company info
Contact | Legal info | Terms & conditions
Follow us
Follow us on facebook Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Twitter Visit our Youtube channel
EN | DE | EL | ES | FR | IT | RU
VolcanoDiscovery GmbH, Germany, Reg. nr.: HRB 103744, EU Tax Id: DE 310 395 322 owned and created by
Dr. Tom Pfeiffer, volcanologist, volcano photographer, tour organizer member of
IAVCEI
Volcanological Society
Ecotourism Greece
Insured by R+V
VolcanoDiscovery © 2004- All Rights Reserved | Privacy - cookie settings