M5.2 Earthquake 168 km SW of Kavieng, Papua New Guinea — March 12, 2026
2026-03-12 21:58:47 UTC (2026-03-12) · approx. 7:58 AM UTC+10 local
On March 12, 2026 at 21:58 UTC, a magnitude 5.2 shallow crustal earthquake struck 168 km SW of Kavieng, Papua New Guinea, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates -3.6398°, 149.7130°. This earthquake was detected by 62 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 416, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.2 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 951 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.3 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
149.7130°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.2 earthquake near Kavieng, Papua New Guinea?
The magnitude 5.2 earthquake that struck 168 km SW of Kavieng, Papua New Guinea on March 12, 2026 at 21:58 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -3.6398°, 149.7130°, which is 168 km SW of Kavieng, 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 5.2 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 5.2 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: us6000sfy3). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, March 12, 2026). M5.2 Earthquake 168 km SW of Kavieng, Papua New Guinea — March 12, 2026. Retrieved May 12, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000sfy3/