5.2 magnitude earthquake strikes Mid-Indian Ridge, 1,642 km from Addu

A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck the Mid-Indian Ridge on Tuesday night, approximately 1,642 km from Addu City, according to the Maldives Meteorological Service.

The quake occurred at 20:35 local time. While the tremor originated in a tectonically active zone, the Met Office confirmed that there is no threat to the Maldivian region, and no tsunami warning has been issued.

The Mid-Indian Ridge is part of a major underwater mountain range that runs through the Indian Ocean, formed by the divergent boundary between the African and Indo-Australian tectonic plates. Earthquakes in this region are typically caused by seafloor spreading and are common, though rarely felt in the Maldives due to distance and depth.

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— Maldives Meteorology (@MetMaldives) November 18, 2025

This follows a similar event on December 30 last year, when a 4.7 magnitude earthquake struck the Carlsberg Ridge, about 912 km from the Maldives. That quake also posed no threat to the islands.

The Maldives, while located near several active tectonic zones, is generally shielded from direct seismic impact. However, authorities continue to monitor regional activity to ensure early warning capabilities.