M4.9 Earthquake 33 km S of Kirakira, Solomon Islands — April 16, 2026
2026-04-16 06:26:44 UTC (2026-04-16) · approx. 5:26 PM UTC+11 local
On April 16, 2026 at 06:26 UTC, a magnitude 4.9 shallow crustal earthquake struck 33 km S of Kirakira, Solomon Islands, at a depth of 49.7 km and coordinates -10.7584°, 161.9393°. This earthquake was detected by 31 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.
Earthquake Details
161.9393°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.9 earthquake near Kirakira, Solomon Islands?
The magnitude 4.9 earthquake that struck 33 km S of Kirakira, Solomon Islands on April 16, 2026 at 06:26 UTC had a depth of 49.7 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -10.7584°, 161.9393°, which is 33 km S of Kirakira, Solomon Islands.
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.
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: us6000sqhl). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, April 16, 2026). M4.9 Earthquake 33 km S of Kirakira, Solomon Islands — April 16, 2026. Retrieved July 3, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000sqhl/