M5.0 Earthquake 31 km WNW of Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea — May 17, 2026
2026-05-17 22:58:32 UTC (2 days ago) · approx. 8:58 AM UTC+10 local
On May 17, 2026 at 22:58 UTC, a magnitude 5.0 shallow crustal earthquake struck 31 km WNW of Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea, at a depth of 59.8 km and coordinates -6.4496°, 147.5796°. This earthquake was detected by 76 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 385, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.0 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 477 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.7 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
147.5796°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.0 earthquake near Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea?
The magnitude 5.0 earthquake that struck 31 km WNW of Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea on May 17, 2026 at 22:58 UTC had a depth of 59.8 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -6.4496°, 147.5796°, which is 31 km WNW of Finschhafen, 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 5.0 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 5.0 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: us6000syfk). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 17, 2026). M5.0 Earthquake 31 km WNW of Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea — May 17, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000syfk/