M4.9 Earthquake 73 km WNW of Tobelo, Indonesia — January 14, 2026
2026-01-14 18:00:27 UTC (2026-01-14) · approx. 2:00 AM UTC+8 local
On January 14, 2026 at 18:00 UTC, a magnitude 4.9 intermediate depth earthquake struck 73 km WNW of Tobelo, Indonesia, at a depth of 110.5 km and coordinates 1.8921°, 127.3659°. This earthquake was detected by 99 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 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
127.3659°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.9 earthquake near Tobelo, Indonesia?
The magnitude 4.9 earthquake that struck 73 km WNW of Tobelo, Indonesia on January 14, 2026 at 18:00 UTC had a depth of 110.5 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 1.8921°, 127.3659°, which is 73 km WNW of Tobelo, Indonesia. View all earthquakes in Indonesia.
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 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 4.9 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: us7000rpnj). 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 73 km WNW of Tobelo, Indonesia — January 14, 2026. Retrieved May 8, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000rpnj/