Strong earthquake · September 20, 2026
M 6.4 Earthquake, 50 km NNE of Kainantu, Papua New Guinea
A magnitude 6.4 (mww) earthquake struck 50 km NNE of Kainantu, Papua New Guinea on September 20, 2026 at 09:17 UTC, at a depth of about 113 km (70 mi), according to the USGS. 30 people sent "Did You Feel It?" reports. The USGS PAGER alert level is green.
Updated Oct 12, 2026, 12:49 PM EDT (USGS snapshot)
This is not an early-warning system. For tsunami warnings see tsunami.gov; for emergencies follow local authorities.
| Magnitude | 6.4 mww (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Time (UTC) | |
| Local time at epicenter | Sep 20, 2026, 7:17 PM GMT+10 |
| U.S. Eastern Time | Sep 20, 2026, 5:17 AM EDT |
| Location | 50 km NNE of Kainantu, Papua New Guinea |
| Coordinates | 5.899° S, 146.107° E |
| Depth | 113.0 km (70.2 mi), intermediate |
| Felt reports | 30 "Did You Feel It?" responses · max reported intensity 5.6 |
| ShakeMap intensity | MMI 5.2 (estimated maximum) |
| Tsunami flag | No |
| PAGER alert | Green |
| USGS event ID | us7000tiqc |
Source: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, event us7000tiqc. Last updated by the USGS Oct 12, 2026, 16:49:37 UTC.
What the numbers mean
- Tsunami flag
- The USGS sets this flag for large events in oceanic regions. It does not mean a tsunami happened or will happen. Official tsunami warnings come from the NOAA Tsunami Warning Centers at tsunami.gov.
- PAGER alert
- An automatic USGS estimate of likely fatalities and economic losses: green (little or none), yellow, orange, or red (highest). It can change as more data arrives.
- Felt reports
- People who felt shaking can describe it through the USGS "Did You Feel It?" survey on the event page. The count grows for hours or days after an event.
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Other recent earthquakes within 300 km
| Magnitude | Location | Time | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| M 5.2 | 63 km NNE of Lae, Papua New Guinea | 0 sec ago | 80.8 km |
| M 4.4 | 19 km N of Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea | 0 sec ago | 64.6 km |
| M 4.8 | 31 km SE of Kainantu, Papua New Guinea | 0 sec ago | 124.1 km |
| M 4.6 | 48 km SSW of Angoram, Papua New Guinea | 5 days ago | 101.5 km |
| M 4.9 | 25 km NE of Lae, Papua New Guinea | 9 days ago | 90.1 km |
| M 4.6 | 79 km NNE of Lae, Papua New Guinea | 9 days ago | 82.1 km |
| M 6.5 | 45 km NNE of Goroka, Papua New Guinea PAGER green | 294 days ago | 107.0 km |
After an earthquake
Expect aftershocks. If you are near the coast and feel strong or long shaking, move to high ground right away without waiting for an official warning. Check on neighbors and follow instructions from local emergency officials.
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