geophysics, disaster management

Earthquakes in October 2025

In October, eight earthquakes were felt by the population in Austria. They occurred in the provinces of Tyrol, Carinthia, Upper Austria, Styria and Lower Austria, as well as in Italy.

On October 2, at 2:19 a.m. CEST, a weak earthquake occurred north of Feistritz am Wechsel, Lower Austria (47.63°N, 16.06°E). People woke up and heard a rumbling sound. With a magnitude of 1.8, the intensity reached a maximum of 3 to 4 degrees on the 12-point European Macroseismic Scale (EMS-98).

Also north of Feistritz am Wechsel, Lower Austria (47.63°N, 16.06°E), another earthquake was noticed by people at 6:51 a.m. on October 3. The magnitude of the weak quake was only 0.7, and an intensity of 2 to 3 degrees on the EMS-98 was determined.

At around 7:25 p.m. CEST on October 3, an earthquake with a magnitude of 2.1 occurred 5 km west-southwest of Windischgarsten, Upper Austria (47.70°N, 14.27°E). The tremors were barely noticeable to weak, and a distinct rumbling was heard. The intensity was determined to be 2 to 3 degrees on the EMS-98 scale.

Another earthquake was weakly felt in Bad Bleiberg and Hermagor on October 3. The epicenter was located southeast of Pontebba, Italy (46.49°N, 13.39°E). The magnitude of the earthquake, which occurred at 11:19 p.m., was 3.1. The intensity reached 3 degrees in Austria (EMS-98).

On October 13 at 3:16 p.m. CEST, an earthquake occurred 3 km north of Leoben, Styria (47.41°N, 15.08°E). The magnitude 2.6 quake was reported to the Seismological Service of Austria by nearly 50 people and was perceived as weak to clear. The intensity was 3 to 4 degrees (EMS-98).

One of the two strongest earthquakes this month occurred on October 20 at 1:54 p.m. CEST with a magnitude of 3.2. The epicenter was located about 2 km west of Neunkirchen, Lower Austria (47.72°N, 16.06°E). Many people reported feeling significant to strong tremors. In some cases, moderate shaking of a room or building and the movement of liquids were perceived. Over 120 reports of perception were sent to the Seismological Service of Austria. In isolated cases, hairline cracks in buildings were reported. The intensity was 4 to 5 degrees (EMS-98).

A weak earthquake of magnitude 2.3 with its epicenter near Schlitters (Zillertal), Tyrol (47.35°N, 11.82°E), was felt by some people at 7:20 p.m. CET on October 28. Around 20 reports were sent to the Seismological Service of Austria. Windows and doors shook slightly, and creaking noises and rumbling were heard in houses. The intensity reached just under 3 to 4 degrees on the EMS-98 scale.

The second strongest earthquake this month occurred on October 29 at 11:23 CET with a magnitude of 3.0 near Flattach (Mölltal), Carinthia (46.93°N, 13.14°E) and was reported to the Seismological Service of Austria by over 20 people. The brief tremor was felt clearly to strongly by some people, who noticed a shaking of a room or building. Some individuals were frightened or left the building. The preliminary intensity reached 4 to 5 degrees on the EMS-98 scale.

Map graphics

Earthquakes_October_2025.jpg

Epicenters and intensities of the earthquakes felt in Austria in October 2025. For the earthquake abroad, the maximum intensity in Austria is given in the map. © GeoSphere Austria.

Intensity Scale EMS-98

Excerpt from the short form of the 12-level European Macroseismic Scale 1998, based on Mercalli-Sieberg.

  • Degree 2 Scarcely: The tremor is felt only by a very few individuals at rest and in an especially receptive position indoors
  • Degree 3 Weak: The earthquake is felt indoors by a few. People at rest feel a swaying or light trembling. Hanging objects swing slightly.
  • Degree 4 Largely observed: The earthquake is felt indoors by many and felt outdoors only by very few. A few people are awakened, the vibration is moderate, slight trembling of the building or room. Glasses, windows and doors rattle, light furniture shakes visibly.
  • Degree 5 Strongly observed: Perceived indoors by most people, outdoors by some. Many people wake up. Some people are frightened. Buildings are shaken as a whole. Hanging objects sway strongly. Small objects are displaced. Doors and windows swing open or shut. Hairline cracks appear on a few buildings, especially those prone to damage.

    • Strong earthquakes worldwide

    Date / Time (UTC) / M / Epicentral area / Comment

    Okt 07, 2025 / 11:05 / 6.6 / Papua New Guinea / 6,78°S 146,77°E / Power and internet outages, some huts collapsed

    Okt 10, 2025 / 01:43 / 7.4 / Philippines / 7,27°N 126,76°E / At least 10 deaths, more than 1000 injured, minor Tsunami

    Okt 10, 2025 / 02:08 / 6.3 / Papua New Guinea, offshore / 3,03°S 147,97°E

    Okt 10, 2025 / 11:12 / 6.7 / Philippines, offshore / 7,17°N 126,76°E

    Okt 10, 2025 / 20:29 / 7.6 / Drake Passage / 60,20°S 61,80°W

    Okt 16, 2025 / 05:48 / 6.5 / Indonesia, Papua / 2,17°S 138,94°E / Very sparsely populated region, some damages

    Okt 22, 2025 / 03:57 / 5.9 / Costa Rica, westcoast / 9,37°N 84,18°W / Some damages, power outages

    Okt 27, 2025 / 12:38 / 6.5 / Guadeloupe, 162 km offshore / 16,53°N 59,57°W / Uninhabited marine region

    Okt 27, 2025 / 19:48 / 6.0 / Turkey / 39,23°N 28,23°E / Dozens of injuries, some damages

    Okt 28, 2025 / 14:40 / 6.4 / Banda See / 6,69°S 130,03°E / Uninhabited marine region

    UTC (Universal Time Coordinated) = GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Data for worldwide earthquakes according to U.S. Geological Survey M: Magnitude (logarithmic energy scale) Information provided without guarantee

    Seismological Service of Austria - GeoSphere Austria Hohe Warte 38, A-1190 Vienna Tel. +43 1 36026 2508 E-Mail: seismo@geosphere.at