Earthquakes in Papua New Guinea

1 earthquakes in the last 24 hours• Latest significant: M5.1

Earthquake Map

Map showing earthquake epicenter at -6.32°, 143.96°

Recent Earthquakes (Last 30 Days)

Dataset at a glance — Papua New Guinea

Over the past 30 days, Papua New Guinea has recorded 18 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater in our tracker. 1 reached magnitude 5.0 or higher. 17 landed between M4.0 and M4.9. By depth: 7 shallow (<70 km), 11 intermediate (70–300 km). 10 of the epicenters were offshore. 2 events produced at least one felt report, totalling 2 citizen submissions to the USGS Did You Feel It? system. Focal depths ranged from 10.0 km to 205.2 km. All 18 solutions have been reviewed by a USGS seismologist.

Leading the list is a magnitude 5.1 event near 135 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea at 182.8 km depth. The second-ranked event, at magnitude 4.9 near 20 km NW of Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea, trails by 0.2 magnitude units — a narrow gap, indicating two comparably energetic events in the current window. Rounding out the top three is a magnitude 4.8 earthquake near 75 km W of Ambunti, Papua New Guinea.

Each row in the table below includes a narrative summary of the event, ordered by time. Use the column headers to sort or filter by magnitude.

Min magnitude:

Showing 18 of 18

Time ↓	Mag ↕	Location ↕	Depth ↕	Felt ↕	MMI	Alert	Status	Details
21 hours ago 2026-07-04 07:50:23 UTC	5.1mb	135 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea -5.505°, 147.103°	182.8 km	-	-	-	✓ Reviewed	USGS →
On July 4, 2026 at 07:50 UTC, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck 135 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea. It is the largest earthquake currently listed for Papua New Guinea over the past 30 days. The hypocenter lay at 182.8 km, placing this in the intermediate depth category. The offshore location combined with this depth is characteristic of seismicity along descending slabs. The epicenter is at -5.505°, 147.103°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M5.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data.
6 days ago 2026-06-28 18:45:21 UTC	4.7mb	39 km SW of Kandrian, Papua New Guinea -6.498°, 149.341°	30.0 km	-	-	-	✓ Reviewed	USGS →
On June 28, 2026, Papua New Guinea registered a magnitude 4.7 earthquake 39 km SW of Kandrian, Papua New Guinea at 18:45 UTC. It ranks as the fourth largest event in the current dataset. This was a shallow crustal earthquake, focused at 30.0 km depth. The event was offshore — common for earthquakes along subduction zones and transform plate boundaries. The epicenter is at -6.498°, 149.341°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.7 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data.
2026-06-28 2026-06-28 02:59:20 UTC	4.9mb	20 km NW of Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea -6.439°, 147.708°	73.1 km	1	-	-	✓ Reviewed	USGS →
A magnitude 4.9 earthquake was recorded 20 km NW of Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea on June 28, 2026 at 02:59 UTC. It ranks as the second largest event in the current dataset. A small number of nearby observers (1) submitted felt reports to the USGS. At a depth of 73.1 km, the event was intermediate depth. The offshore location combined with this depth is characteristic of seismicity along descending slabs. Geolocation places the event at -6.439°N, 147.708°E. See the M4.9 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data.
2026-06-23 2026-06-23 19:27:08 UTC	4.5mb	51 km WSW of Kandrian, Papua New Guinea -6.328°, 149.097°	58.7 km	-	-	-	✓ Reviewed	USGS →
The USGS recorded this magnitude 4.5 earthquake 51 km WSW of Kandrian, Papua New Guinea at 19:27 UTC on June 23, 2026. At a depth of 58.7 km, the event was shallow crustal. Coordinates: -6.328°, 149.097°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data.
2026-06-22 2026-06-22 18:24:24 UTC	4.3mb	27 km NNE of Bulolo, Papua New Guinea -6.986°, 146.766°	110.0 km	-	-	-	✓ Reviewed	USGS →
A magnitude 4.3 earthquake was recorded 27 km NNE of Bulolo, Papua New Guinea on June 22, 2026 at 18:24 UTC. This was a intermediate depth earthquake, focused at 110.0 km depth. Coordinates: -6.986°, 146.766°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data.
2026-06-19 2026-06-19 16:37:23 UTC	4.6mb	108 km NNE of Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea -5.742°, 148.384°	157.9 km	-	-	-	✓ Reviewed	USGS →
At 16:37 UTC on June 19, 2026, a magnitude 4.6 tremor occurred 108 km NNE of Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea. It ranks as the fifth largest event in the current dataset. The hypocenter lay at 157.9 km, placing this in the intermediate depth category. Geolocation places the event at -5.742°N, 148.384°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.6 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data.
2026-06-16 2026-06-16 17:03:30 UTC	4.3mb	40 km SE of Vanimo, Papua New Guinea -2.949°, 141.559°	24.2 km	-	-	-	✓ Reviewed	USGS →
Seismographs logged a magnitude 4.3 earthquake 40 km SE of Vanimo, Papua New Guinea with origin time 17:03 UTC on June 16, 2026. The hypocenter lay at 24.2 km, placing this in the shallow crustal category. The event was offshore — common for earthquakes along subduction zones and transform plate boundaries. The epicenter is at -2.949°, 141.559°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data.
2026-06-15 2026-06-15 22:18:39 UTC	4.2mb	72 km WNW of Kandrian, Papua New Guinea -6.026°, 148.913°	77.5 km	-	-	-	✓ Reviewed	USGS →
The USGS recorded this magnitude 4.2 earthquake 72 km WNW of Kandrian, Papua New Guinea at 22:18 UTC on June 15, 2026. This was a intermediate depth earthquake, focused at 77.5 km depth. The epicenter is at -6.026°, 148.913°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data.
2026-06-14 2026-06-14 14:07:13 UTC	4.4mb	82 km WSW of Kandrian, Papua New Guinea -6.382°, 148.822°	46.9 km	-	-	-	✓ Reviewed	USGS →
A magnitude 4.4 seismic event took place 82 km WSW of Kandrian, Papua New Guinea on June 14, 2026 at 14:07 UTC. The hypocenter lay at 46.9 km, placing this in the shallow crustal category. Coordinates: -6.382°, 148.822°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data.
2026-06-12 2026-06-12 21:38:33 UTC	4.3mb	131 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea -5.538°, 147.014°	181.5 km	-	-	-	✓ Reviewed	USGS →
On June 12, 2026, Papua New Guinea registered a magnitude 4.3 earthquake 131 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea at 21:38 UTC. At a depth of 181.5 km, the event was intermediate depth. The offshore location combined with this depth is characteristic of seismicity along descending slabs. Geolocation places the event at -5.538°N, 147.014°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data.
2026-06-12 2026-06-12 02:24:33 UTC	4.5mb	23 km NNE of Goroka, Papua New Guinea -5.887°, 145.468°	92.9 km	-	-	-	✓ Reviewed	USGS →
This magnitude 4.5 event was detected 23 km NNE of Goroka, Papua New Guinea on June 12, 2026, with origin time 02:24 UTC. The event originated approximately 92.9 km below the surface, classifying it as intermediate depth. The epicenter is at -5.887°, 145.468°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data.
2026-06-09 2026-06-09 17:55:00 UTC	4.4mb	127 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea -5.589°, 147.179°	205.2 km	-	-	-	✓ Reviewed	USGS →
June 9, 2026 brought a magnitude 4.4 earthquake 127 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea, logged at 17:55 UTC. At 205.2 km, this is the deepest earthquake in the current dataset — firmly in the intermediate depth category. The offshore location combined with this depth is characteristic of seismicity along descending slabs. The epicenter is at -5.589°, 147.179°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data.
2026-06-08 2026-06-08 14:21:46 UTC	4.5mb	58 km SE of Angoram, Papua New Guinea -4.448°, 144.429°	147.0 km	-	-	-	✓ Reviewed	USGS →
Reports of a magnitude 4.5 earthquake 58 km SE of Angoram, Papua New Guinea came in on June 8, 2026 at 14:21 UTC. This was a intermediate depth earthquake, focused at 147.0 km depth. The offshore location combined with this depth is characteristic of seismicity along descending slabs. Geolocation places the event at -4.448°N, 144.429°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data.
2026-06-07 2026-06-07 05:06:01 UTC	4.2mb	87 km WSW of Kandrian, Papua New Guinea -6.449°, 148.792°	61.5 km	-	-	-	✓ Reviewed	USGS →
This magnitude 4.2 event was detected 87 km WSW of Kandrian, Papua New Guinea on June 7, 2026, with origin time 05:06 UTC. The hypocenter lay at 61.5 km, placing this in the shallow crustal category. Geolocation places the event at -6.449°N, 148.792°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data.
2026-06-07 2026-06-07 03:28:07 UTC	4.1mb	82 km W of Kandrian, Papua New Guinea -6.342°, 148.815°	40.3 km	-	-	-	✓ Reviewed	USGS →
Reports of a magnitude 4.1 earthquake 82 km W of Kandrian, Papua New Guinea came in on June 7, 2026 at 03:28 UTC. At a depth of 40.3 km, the event was shallow crustal. The event was offshore — common for earthquakes along subduction zones and transform plate boundaries. Coordinates: -6.342°, 148.815°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data.
2026-06-06 2026-06-06 19:04:34 UTC	4.4mb	90 km WNW of Kandrian, Papua New Guinea -6.006°, 148.751°	78.7 km	1	-	-	✓ Reviewed	USGS →
On June 6, 2026 at 19:04 UTC, a magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck 90 km WNW of Kandrian, Papua New Guinea. A small number of nearby observers (1) submitted felt reports to the USGS. The event originated approximately 78.7 km below the surface, classifying it as intermediate depth. Geolocation places the event at -6.006°N, 148.751°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data.
2026-06-06 2026-06-06 04:27:08 UTC	4.8mb	75 km W of Ambunti, Papua New Guinea -4.228°, 142.139°	106.8 km	-	-	-	✓ Reviewed	USGS →
Seismographs logged a magnitude 4.8 earthquake 75 km W of Ambunti, Papua New Guinea with origin time 04:27 UTC on June 6, 2026. It ranks as the third largest event in the current dataset. The event originated approximately 106.8 km below the surface, classifying it as intermediate depth. The offshore location combined with this depth is characteristic of seismicity along descending slabs. Coordinates: -4.228°, 142.139°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.8 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data.
2026-06-05 2026-06-05 16:50:46 UTC	4.3mb	195 km NW of Lorengau, Papua New Guinea -0.972°, 145.870°	10.0 km	-	-	-	✓ Reviewed	USGS →
At 16:50 UTC on June 5, 2026, a magnitude 4.3 tremor occurred 195 km NW of Lorengau, Papua New Guinea. At just 10.0 km, it was the shallowest earthquake in the current dataset — a shallow crustal event. The event was offshore — common for earthquakes along subduction zones and transform plate boundaries. Coordinates: -0.972°, 145.870°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data.

Legend:

Mag: Magnitude (magType = ml, mb, mw, etc.)

Felt: Number of DYFI felt reports

MMI: Modified Mercalli Intensity (I-X+)

Alert: PAGER alert level

Depth: Shallow (<70km), Intermediate, Deep (>300km)

Status: Auto = preliminary, Reviewed = verified by seismologist

Click any row to see additional technical details.

Earthquake Statistics

Last 24 Hours1

Last 30 Days18

2026 (M2.5+)212

Largest (30 Days)

M5.1

135 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea

21 hours ago

Largest in 2026

M5.9

24 km ESE of Madang, Papua New Guinea

2026-01-20

Data from USGS Earthquake Hazards Program. Updated every 5 minutes.

About Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire at the collision zone of multiple tectonic plates, experiencing frequent large earthquakes.

Papua New Guinea Earthquakes 2026

In 2026, Papua New Guinea has recorded 212 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater so far. The largest earthquake in Papua New Guinea in 2026 was a magnitude 5.9 event near Madang, Papua New Guinea.

Seismic Activity in Papua New Guinea

Over the past 30 days, there have been 18 recorded earthquakes in this region. The largest recent earthquake was a magnitude 5.1 event near 135 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many earthquakes occur in Papua New Guinea?

In the past 30 days, 18 earthquakes have been recorded in the Papua New Guinea region.

What was the biggest recent earthquake in Papua New Guinea?

The largest recent earthquake in the Papua New Guinea area was a magnitude 5.1 event that occurred 135 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea.

How can I prepare for earthquakes in Papua New Guinea?

Residents should secure heavy furniture, create an emergency kit with supplies for 72 hours, develop a family communication plan, and practice "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" during earthquake drills. Visit our preparedness section for detailed guides.