Location:

Period:

3 Nov 2015 21:25:02 - 4 Nov 2015 08:34:05 (11 hours 9 minutes)

Volcanoes in 100km radius:

None

Earthquakes:

M 7.0+:

M 7.5; 63 km NW of Maubara, Timor Leste; (11 Nov 2004) (35km from the swarm center)

2 swarms found nearby.

2004

PS20041111.1(41.1km)

11 Nov

1 day 11 hours

17 earthquakes

2008

PS20080419.1(74.4km)

19 Apr

1 day 9 hours

8 earthquakes

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Seismic Swarm PS20151104.1: Analysis of Events Near Dili, Timor Leste

Seismic swarm PS20151104.1 was recorded 46 km NNW of Dili, Timor Leste. The sequence began at 21:25 on 3 November 2015 and concluded at 08:34 on 4 November 2015, spanning 11 hours and 9 minutes. Five earthquakes were registered during this period, with magnitudes ranging from 4.3 to 6.5 and focal depths between 10 km and 20 km.

The initial event occurred at 21:25:02 on 3 November 2015, registering magnitude 5.7 at a depth of 10 km. Approximately six hours later, at 03:44:15 on 4 November, the largest event reached magnitude 6.5 at 20 km depth. This was followed within minutes by a magnitude 5.3 event at 03:51:02, also at 10 km depth. Two additional events completed the swarm: magnitude 5.1 at 08:14:57 and magnitude 4.3 at 08:34:05, both at 10 km depth. All but one event originated at shallow crustal levels, consistent with tectonic stress release along regional fault systems.

Timor Leste occupies a tectonically complex zone within the Banda Arc, where the Indo-Australian Plate converges with the Eurasian Plate. This collision produces frequent seismic activity through thrust faulting and crustal shortening. Shallow depths recorded in the swarm align with the region's characteristic brittle deformation in the upper crust.

Historical records since 2000 indicate only two prior swarms in the vicinity: one in 2004 and another in 2008. A notable strong earthquake of magnitude 7.5 occurred on 11 November 2004, 63 km northwest of Maubara and approximately 35 km from the PS20151104.1 swarm center. This event underscores the persistent seismic hazard in the area.

The 2015 swarm illustrates clustered seismicity typical of the region, where moderate events can occur in rapid succession without a single dominant mainshock. Depths predominantly near 10 km suggest activity within the sedimentary and metamorphic basement rocks that underlie Timor.

References

SeismoSight internal classification data for swarm PS20151104.1.
Standard geological literature on Banda Arc tectonics and Timor Leste seismicity.