M4.3 Earthquake 50 km SSE of Kieta, Papua New Guinea — October 24, 2024
2024-10-24 23:50:30 UTC (2024-10-24) · approx. 9:50 AM UTC+10 local
On October 24, 2024 at 23:50 UTC, a magnitude 4.3 intermediate depth earthquake struck 50 km SSE of Kieta, Papua New Guinea, at a depth of 179.2 km and coordinates -6.5969°, 155.8795°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 43 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 558 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 6.2 mainshock that occurred 15 hours ago 79 km SSE of Panguna, Papua New Guinea. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 0 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for weeks to months as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
Earthquake Details
155.8795°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.3 earthquake near Kieta, Papua New Guinea?
The magnitude 4.3 earthquake that struck 50 km SSE of Kieta, Papua New Guinea on October 24, 2024 at 23:50 UTC had a depth of 179.2 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.3 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M6.2 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.3 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 6.2 mainshock that occurred earlier 79 km SSE of Panguna, Papua New Guinea. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.3 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000nn1k). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2024, October 24, 2024). M4.3 Earthquake 50 km SSE of Kieta, Papua New Guinea — October 24, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2025 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000nn1k/