M5.0 Earthquake 82 km WSW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea — October 28, 2025
2025-10-28 09:13:49 UTC (2025-10-28) · approx. 7:13 PM UTC+10 local
On October 28, 2025 at 09:13 UTC, a magnitude 5.0 shallow crustal earthquake struck 82 km WSW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea, at a depth of 25.5 km and coordinates -6.6097°, 154.7994°. This earthquake was detected by 87 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 385, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.0 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 477 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.7 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
The epicenter is located in Papua New Guinea, a region characterized by the collision and subduction of the Pacific, Australian, and Solomon Sea plates. View all earthquakes in Papua New Guinea.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
154.7994°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.0 earthquake near Panguna, Papua New Guinea?
The magnitude 5.0 earthquake that struck 82 km WSW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea on October 28, 2025 at 09:13 UTC had a depth of 25.5 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -6.6097°, 154.7994°, which is 82 km WSW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea. View all earthquakes in Papua New Guinea.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.0 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks and gradually diminish over time.
Has Papua New Guinea had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in Papua New Guinea was the M8.0 New Britain earthquake of July 18, 1971. Today's magnitude 5.0 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
What should I do after an earthquake?
If you were in the affected area: check yourself and others for injuries, inspect your home for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. For detailed guidance, see our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000rjwa). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, October 28, 2025). M5.0 Earthquake 82 km WSW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea — October 28, 2025. Retrieved May 26, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000rjwa/