M5.1 Earthquake 28 km W of Amahai, Indonesia — January 16, 2026
2026-01-16 23:50:44 UTC (2026-01-16) · approx. 8:50 AM UTC+9 local
On January 16, 2026 at 23:50 UTC, a magnitude 5.1 shallow crustal earthquake struck 28 km W of Amahai, Indonesia, at a depth of 66.0 km and coordinates -3.3817°, 128.6661°. This earthquake was detected by 77 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 400, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 674 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.0 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
128.6661°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.1 earthquake near Amahai, Indonesia?
The magnitude 5.1 earthquake that struck 28 km W of Amahai, Indonesia on January 16, 2026 at 23:50 UTC had a depth of 66.0 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -3.3817°, 128.6661°, which is 28 km W of Amahai, Indonesia. View all earthquakes in Indonesia.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.1 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks 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 5.1 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: us7000rq86). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, January 16, 2026). M5.1 Earthquake 28 km W of Amahai, Indonesia — January 16, 2026. Retrieved May 12, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000rq86/