4.0

M4.0 Earthquake 118 km N of Lae, Papua New GuineaApril 24, 2026

2026-04-24 21:33:02 UTC (2026-04-24) · approx. 7:33 AM UTC+10 local

MagnitudeM4.0(mb)
Time21:33 UTC7:33 AM UTC+10
Depth148.2 kmintermediate depth
Coordinates-5.653°, 147.048°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On April 24, 2026 at 21:33 UTC, a magnitude 4.0 intermediate depth earthquake struck 118 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea, at a depth of 148.2 km and coordinates -5.6533°, 147.0476°.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.0 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 15 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 347 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at -5.65°, 147.05°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.0 mb
Depth
148.2 km
intermediate depth
Location
-5.6533°N
147.0476°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us7000shcd
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
246
Stations Used
14
Azimuthal Gap
156.0°
Min Station Distance
3.729°
RMS Residual
1.29 sec
Last Updated
2026-05-09 23:18:44 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.0 earthquake near Lae, Papua New Guinea?

The magnitude 4.0 earthquake that struck 118 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea on April 24, 2026 at 21:33 UTC had a depth of 148.2 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 4.0 earthquakes can continue for several days 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: us7000shcd). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, April 24, 2026). M4.0 Earthquake 118 km N of Lae, Papua New GuineaApril 24, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000shcd/