The island of Bali sits right in the heart of the Pacific Ring of Fire. This is one of the most seismically active regions in the world, and the threat of volcanic eruption, earthquakes, and tsunamis is present.
Here at The Bali Sun, we keep a close eye on all meteorological, geophysical, and climatic events to help tourists understand what is happening on the ground and how to ensure a safe vacation.
The Bali Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BBMKG) has confirmed that Bali Province recorded 547 earthquakes in 2025. The Head of the BBMKG, Cahyo Nugroho, spoke to reporters about the earthquake data and what it could mean for the coming year. He explained, “Of the total number of incidents, 10 of the earthquakes were felt.”
He confirmed that in 2025, seismic activity was very similar to that in 2024, which was dominated by earthquakes with magnitudes below 3 and depths of less than or equal to 60 kilometers. However, 2025 saw many more earthquakes, as a comparatively low 331 earthquakes were recorded in 2024.
In 2025, the most seismically active month was November, with 115 earthquakes recorded in the province. The largest magnitude reaching 5.4 was recorded on 17th April 2025 with an epicenter 303 kilometers southeast of South Kuta, and the intensity of which was felt across Bali, Lombok, and even Sumbawa.
In the broader Bali and Nusa Tenggara regions, seismologists noted that based on data for the provinces of Bali, Nusa Tenggara Barat, and parts of Nusa Tenggara Timor, there were 6,215 earthquakes in 2025, 67 of which were felt by residents.
It may only be the second week of January, but Bali is already off to a shaky start. Data shows that between 5th and 8th January, Bali recorded 212 consecutive small magnitude tectonic earthquakes, referred to as swarms.
The Head of the Earthquake and Tsunami Early Information Working Group of the BBMKG, Dwi Hartanto, told reporters, “If the earthquake is small and continuous, it is usually called an earthquake swarm. The earthquakes were recorded along the North Lombok Fault, which runs along the east coast of Bali, best known for destinations like Amed and for being home to sacred Mount Agung.
According to the BBMKG, Bali lies along 26 local fault lines, all of which are active. The earthquake swarm, which occurred this week, was not felt on land, as the magnitudes ranged from 1.4 to 2.8 and the epicentres were between 10 and 47 kilometres from the coast.
Leaders at the BBMKG have noted that increased public understanding is needed to better socialise disaster management protocols and run disaster simulations.
Officials have noted that, due to the complex dynamics of active fault lines across Bali and the Earth, it is difficult to predict earthquakes with certainty.
Over the last few years, there has been increasing dialogue about the potential for a mega thrust earthquake to impact Bali and many provinces across Indonesia and Southeast Asia.
Speaking back in 2024, the Head of the Earthquake and Tsunami Center at the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency spoke to the risks and potential impact of a megathrust earthquake in the region. The earthquake in question would most likely originate off the coast of Japan.
Officials noted, “If a massive earthquake on the Nankai megathrust does occur and generates a tsunami, we need to be vigilant, as a large tsunami in Japan could potentially reach Indonesian territories.” Reporters were also told at the time that a huge earthquake in the Sunda and Mentawai-Suberut Straits is considered to be “only a matter of time.”
However, Nugroho gave the public assurances that this threat is not something that should immediately influence tourists’ decision to travel to the region, noting, “We hope this will not be interpreted incorrectly as if it would happen in the near future.”
Concluding, “Until now, there is no science and technology that can predict earthquakes precisely and accurately.”
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