M5.1 Earthquake near Banda Sea — January 21, 2026
2026-01-21 05:49:35 UTC (2026-01-21) · approx. 2:49 PM UTC+9 local
On January 21, 2026 at 05:49 UTC, a magnitude 5.1 intermediate depth earthquake struck near Banda Sea, at a depth of 108.4 km and coordinates -6.9643°, 129.6298°. This earthquake was detected by 101 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.
Earthquake Details
129.6298°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.1 earthquake near Banda Sea?
The magnitude 5.1 earthquake that struck near Banda Sea on January 21, 2026 at 05:49 UTC had a depth of 108.4 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -6.9643°, 129.6298°, which is near Banda Sea.
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.
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: us7000rr1p). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, January 21, 2026). M5.1 Earthquake near Banda Sea — January 21, 2026. Retrieved May 15, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000rr1p/