M4.9 Earthquake 124 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea — January 14, 2026
2026-01-14 15:29:04 UTC (2026-01-14) · approx. 1:29 AM UTC+10 local
On January 14, 2026 at 15:29 UTC, a magnitude 4.9 intermediate depth earthquake struck 124 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea, at a depth of 193.5 km and coordinates -5.6036°, 147.1311°. This earthquake was detected by 61 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 369, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.9 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 338 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.4 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
147.1311°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.9 earthquake near Lae, Papua New Guinea?
The magnitude 4.9 earthquake that struck 124 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea on January 14, 2026 at 15:29 UTC had a depth of 193.5 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -5.6036°, 147.1311°, which is 124 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 4.9 earthquakes can continue for several days 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 4.9 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: us7000rpmy). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, January 14, 2026). M4.9 Earthquake 124 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea — January 14, 2026. Retrieved May 8, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000rpmy/