M4.6 Earthquake 121 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea — April 18, 2026
2026-04-18 19:46:53 UTC (2026-04-18) · approx. 5:46 AM UTC+10 local
Felt by 1 person across nearby locations. Aftershock of the M5.1 mainshock.
On April 18, 2026 at 19:46 UTC, a magnitude 4.6 intermediate depth earthquake struck 121 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea, at a depth of 187.3 km and coordinates -5.6271°, 147.0495°. This earthquake was detected by 65 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 326, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.6 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 120 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 899 m — 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 5.1 mainshock that occurred 11 hours ago 135 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 2 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
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
Did You Feel It? — community-reported shaking
Aggregated felt-report intensity from 1 citizen response to the USGS Did You Feel It? system. Each colored zone represents the average MMI from reports in that area.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey Did You Feel It?. View on USGS · submit your own report
Earthquake Details
147.0495°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.6 earthquake near Lae, Papua New Guinea?
The magnitude 4.6 earthquake that struck 121 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea on April 18, 2026 at 19:46 UTC had a depth of 187.3 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -5.6271°, 147.0495°, which is 121 km N of Lae, 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 4.6 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.1 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.6 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.1 mainshock that occurred earlier 135 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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 4.6 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: us6000sr5w). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, April 18, 2026). M4.6 Earthquake 121 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea — April 18, 2026. Retrieved July 3, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000sr5w/