M4.8 Earthquake 127 km E of Bitung, Indonesia — May 3, 2026
2026-05-03 06:57:42 UTC (1 hour ago) · approx. 2:57 PM UTC+8 local
Aftershock of the M5.1 mainshock.
On May 3, 2026 at 06:57 UTC, a magnitude 4.8 shallow crustal earthquake struck 127 km E of Bitung, Indonesia, at a depth of 35.0 km and coordinates 1.5293°, 126.2707°. This earthquake was detected by 58 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 354, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.8 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 239 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.2 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 5.1 mainshock that occurred 15 days ago 127 km WNW of Ternate, Indonesia. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 19 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
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
126.2707°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.8 earthquake near Bitung, Indonesia?
The magnitude 4.8 earthquake that struck 127 km E of Bitung, Indonesia on May 3, 2026 at 06:57 UTC had a depth of 35.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 1.5293°, 126.2707°, which is 127 km E of Bitung, Indonesia. View all earthquakes in Indonesia.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.8 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.1 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.8 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.1 mainshock that occurred earlier 127 km WNW of Ternate, Indonesia. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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 4.8 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: us7000shxd). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 3, 2026). M4.8 Earthquake 127 km E of Bitung, Indonesia — May 3, 2026. Retrieved May 3, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000shxd/