4.6

M4.6 Earthquake 209 km NW of Tobelo, IndonesiaMay 4, 2026

2026-05-04 03:37:06 UTC (1 hour ago) · approx. 11:37 AM UTC+8 local

MagnitudeM4.6(mb)
Time03:37 UTC11:37 AM UTC+8
Depth35.0 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates3.094°, 126.709°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On May 4, 2026 at 03:37 UTC, a magnitude 4.6 shallow crustal earthquake struck 209 km NW of Tobelo, Indonesia, at a depth of 35.0 km and coordinates 3.0938°, 126.7085°. This earthquake was detected by 31 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 326, placing it among routine seismic activity.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.6 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 120 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 899 m — 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

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 3.09°, 126.71°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.6 mb
Depth
35.0 km
shallow crustal
Location
3.0938°N
126.7085°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us7000si2c
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
326
Stations Used
31
Azimuthal Gap
107.0°
Min Station Distance
4.107°
RMS Residual
0.77 sec
Last Updated
2026-05-04 03:54:40 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.6 earthquake near Tobelo, Indonesia?

The magnitude 4.6 earthquake that struck 209 km NW of Tobelo, Indonesia on May 4, 2026 at 03:37 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 3.0938°, 126.7085°, which is 209 km NW of Tobelo, Indonesia. View all earthquakes in Indonesia.

Were there aftershocks?

Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.6 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 4.6 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: us7000si2c). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 4, 2026). M4.6 Earthquake 209 km NW of Tobelo, IndonesiaMay 4, 2026. Retrieved May 4, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000si2c/