M4.7 Earthquake 60 km WNW of Pante Makasar, Timor Leste — March 16, 2026
2026-03-16 16:01:13 UTC (2026-03-16) · approx. 12:01 AM UTC+8 local
Aftershock of the M5.4 mainshock.
On March 16, 2026 at 16:01 UTC, a magnitude 4.7 intermediate depth earthquake struck 60 km WNW of Pante Makasar, Timor Leste, at a depth of 78.7 km and coordinates -8.9000°, 123.9283°. This earthquake was detected by 80 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 340, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.7 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 169 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.1 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 5.4 mainshock that occurred 23 days ago 47 km NW of Pante Makasar, Timor Leste. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 1 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
Earthquake Details
123.9283°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.7 earthquake near Pante Makasar, Timor Leste?
The magnitude 4.7 earthquake that struck 60 km WNW of Pante Makasar, Timor Leste on March 16, 2026 at 16:01 UTC had a depth of 78.7 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -8.9000°, 123.9283°, which is 60 km WNW of Pante Makasar, Timor Leste.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.7 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.4 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.7 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.4 mainshock that occurred earlier 47 km NW of Pante Makasar, Timor Leste. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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: us6000sgl9). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, March 16, 2026). M4.7 Earthquake 60 km WNW of Pante Makasar, Timor Leste — March 16, 2026. Retrieved May 14, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000sgl9/