Recent earthquakes in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea sits at a complex collision of the Australian and Pacific plates and several smaller microplates, ringed by subduction zones and cut by major faults. This makes it one of the most seismically and volcanically active countries on Earth. The 1998 Aitape earthquake (M7.0) triggered a submarine landslide whose tsunami killed over 2,000 people. In the past 24 hours, Papua New Guinea has recorded no earthquakes above the reporting threshold.
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Time (UTC) | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4.1 | Sep 6, 22:15 UTC | 35 km | 136 km SE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea |
| M5.5 | Sep 5, 14:12 UTC | 109 km | 162 km E of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea |
Notable recent activity
A moderate M5.5 earthquake struck 162 km E of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea at 14:12 UTC on Sep 5 at a depth of 109 km.
An M4.1 earthquake struck 136 km SE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea at 22:15 UTC on Sep 6 at a depth of 35 km.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Papua New Guinea so seismically active?
Papua New Guinea lies where the fast-moving Pacific Plate collides with the Australian Plate through a tangle of microplates, trenches, and faults. This produces frequent large earthquakes and a chain of active volcanoes.
How often do large earthquakes strike Papua New Guinea?
Magnitude 7 earthquakes occur in or around Papua New Guinea most years. Many are offshore or beneath sparsely populated terrain, but events near towns or that trigger landslides and tsunamis can be devastating.
What was a notable earthquake in Papua New Guinea?
The July 17, 1998 Aitape earthquake, magnitude 7.0, triggered an underwater landslide whose tsunami killed more than 2,000 people along the northern coast. The 2018 Highlands earthquake (M7.5) caused widespread damage inland.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.