M4.6 Earthquake 23 km SSW of Sinabang, Indonesia — May 20, 2026
2026-05-20 02:03:24 UTC (17 hours ago) · approx. 8:03 AM UTC+6 local
On May 20, 2026 at 02:03 UTC, a magnitude 4.6 shallow crustal earthquake struck 23 km SSW of Sinabang, Indonesia, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 2.3041°, 96.2647°. This earthquake was detected by 20 seismic stations with moderate 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.
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
96.2647°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.6 earthquake near Sinabang, Indonesia?
The magnitude 4.6 earthquake that struck 23 km SSW of Sinabang, Indonesia on May 20, 2026 at 02:03 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 2.3041°, 96.2647°, which is 23 km SSW of Sinabang, Indonesia. View all earthquakes in Indonesia.
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.
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 4.6 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: us6000syw5). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 20, 2026). M4.6 Earthquake 23 km SSW of Sinabang, Indonesia — May 20, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000syw5/