5.3

M5.3 Earthquake near Banda SeaMay 5, 2026

2026-05-05 02:38:49 UTC (57 min ago) · approx. 11:38 AM UTC+9 local

MagnitudeM5.3(mb)
Time02:38 UTC11:38 AM UTC+9
Depth153.8 kmintermediate depth
Coordinates-6.434°, 130.163°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On May 5, 2026 at 02:38 UTC, a magnitude 5.3 intermediate depth earthquake struck near Banda Sea, at a depth of 153.8 km and coordinates -6.4335°, 130.1627°. This earthquake was detected by 58 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 432, placing it among routine seismic activity.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.3 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 1 kilotons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.7 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at -6.43°, 130.16°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
5.3 mb
Depth
153.8 km
intermediate depth
Location
-6.4335°N
130.1627°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us7000siat
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
432
Stations Used
58
Azimuthal Gap
27.0°
Min Station Distance
1.916°
RMS Residual
0.84 sec
Last Updated
2026-05-05 02:54:09 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 5.3 earthquake near Banda Sea?

The magnitude 5.3 earthquake that struck near Banda Sea on May 5, 2026 at 02:38 UTC had a depth of 153.8 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.

Where did the earthquake occur?

The earthquake epicenter was located at -6.4335°, 130.1627°, which is near Banda Sea.

Were there aftershocks?

Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.3 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: us7000siat). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 5, 2026). M5.3 Earthquake near Banda SeaMay 5, 2026. Retrieved May 5, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000siat/