Recent earthquakes in Indonesia
Indonesia straddles the Sunda megathrust, where the Australian and Indian plates dive beneath the Sunda Plate along the Sumatra-Java trench. This subduction zone, plus a dense array of volcanoes and crustal faults, makes the archipelago one of the most seismically active regions on Earth. The 2004 M9.1 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake ruptured over 1,300 km of this boundary and triggered a catastrophic Indian Ocean tsunami. In the past 24 hours, Indonesia has recorded 1 earthquake, the largest an M4.9 (10 km SE of Kawalu, Indonesia).
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Time (UTC) | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4.9 | Jul 28, 09:21 UTC | 159 km | 10 km SE of Kawalu, Indonesia |
| M4.9 | Jul 24, 17:28 UTC | 59 km | 133 km SW of Kotabumi, Indonesia |
| M4.7 | Jul 23, 22:50 UTC | 10 km | southwest of Sumatra, Indonesia |
Notable recent activity
An M4.9 earthquake struck 133 km SW of Kotabumi, Indonesia at 17:28 UTC on Jul 24 at a depth of 59 km.
An M4.9 earthquake struck 10 km SE of Kawalu, Indonesia at 09:21 UTC on Jul 28 at a depth of 159 km.
An M4.7 earthquake struck southwest of Sumatra, Indonesia at 22:50 UTC on Jul 23 at a depth of 10 km.
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes does Indonesia get?
Indonesia experiences thousands of earthquakes each year, several of them magnitude 6 or larger, because it sits along the convergent boundary of several major plates. Most occur offshore along the Sunda subduction zone.
Why is Indonesia so earthquake-prone?
The country lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where the Australian and Indian plates subduct beneath the Sunda Plate. This drives the Sumatra-Java megathrust, numerous active volcanoes, and inland strike-slip faults such as the Great Sumatran Fault.
What was the biggest earthquake in Indonesia?
The December 26, 2004 magnitude 9.1 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake is the largest recorded in Indonesia and the third-largest ever measured. Its tsunami killed more than 220,000 people across the Indian Ocean.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.