M4.4 Earthquake 51 km SW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea — December 19, 2025
2025-12-19 23:07:27 UTC (2025-12-19) · approx. 9:07 AM UTC+10 local
On December 19, 2025 at 23:07 UTC, a magnitude 4.4 shallow crustal earthquake struck 51 km SW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea, at a depth of 21.3 km and coordinates -6.6687°, 155.1769°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.4 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 60 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 655 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 18 days ago 61 km SSW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 0 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
Earthquake Details
155.1769°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.4 earthquake near Panguna, Papua New Guinea?
The magnitude 4.4 earthquake that struck 51 km SW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea on December 19, 2025 at 23:07 UTC had a depth of 21.3 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 4.4 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 4.4 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.1 mainshock that occurred earlier 61 km SSW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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.
Actions
Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.4 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000rpg9). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, December 19, 2025). M4.4 Earthquake 51 km SW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea — December 19, 2025. Retrieved March 19, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000rpg9/