M4.9 Earthquake 30 km SW of Sinabang, Indonesia — March 20, 2026
2026-03-20 12:28:09 UTC (2026-03-20) · approx. 6:28 PM UTC+6 local
On March 20, 2026 at 12:28 UTC, a magnitude 4.9 shallow crustal earthquake struck 30 km SW of Sinabang, Indonesia, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 2.2654°, 96.2104°. This earthquake was detected by 82 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 369, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.9 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 338 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.4 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
The epicenter is located in Indonesia, a region characterized by the convergence of the Indo-Australian, Eurasian, and Philippine Sea plates, forming the Sunda-Banda arc system. The nearest mapped fault system is the Sunda megathrust. View all earthquakes in Indonesia.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
96.2104°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.9 earthquake near Sinabang, Indonesia?
The magnitude 4.9 earthquake that struck 30 km SW of Sinabang, Indonesia on March 20, 2026 at 12:28 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 2.2654°, 96.2104°, which is 30 km SW of Sinabang, Indonesia. View all earthquakes in Indonesia.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.9 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Has Indonesia had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in Indonesia was the M9.1 Indian Ocean earthquake of December 26, 2004. Today's magnitude 4.9 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: us6000sht8). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, March 20, 2026). M4.9 Earthquake 30 km SW of Sinabang, Indonesia — March 20, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000sht8/