4.2

M4.2 Earthquake 68 km W of Gunungsitoli, IndonesiaJanuary 30, 2026

2026-01-30 20:29:02 UTC (2026-01-30) · approx. 2:29 AM UTC+6 local

MagnitudeM4.2(mb)
Time20:29 UTC2:29 AM UTC+6
Depth23.8 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates1.309°, 96.999°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On January 30, 2026 at 20:29 UTC, a magnitude 4.2 shallow crustal earthquake struck 68 km W of Gunungsitoli, Indonesia, at a depth of 23.8 km and coordinates 1.3089°, 96.9987°.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.2 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 30 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 476 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 1.31°, 97.00°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.2 mb
Depth
23.8 km
shallow crustal
Location
1.3089°N
96.9987°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000s90n
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
271
Stations Used
26
Azimuthal Gap
157.0°
Min Station Distance
0.577°
RMS Residual
0.66 sec
Last Updated
2026-04-23 20:43:24 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.2 earthquake near Gunungsitoli, Indonesia?

The magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck 68 km W of Gunungsitoli, Indonesia on January 30, 2026 at 20:29 UTC had a depth of 23.8 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.

Were there aftershocks?

Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.2 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.

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.

Understanding This Data

Magnitude 4.2 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.

Learn more about magnitude →

Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000s90n). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, January 30, 2026). M4.2 Earthquake 68 km W of Gunungsitoli, IndonesiaJanuary 30, 2026. Retrieved April 23, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000s90n/