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M5.2 Depth: 5.1 km

M5.2 Earthquake near Saidor District, Madang (Papua New Guinea)

UTC time: 2025-07-21 16:40:55 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

On July 21, 2025 at 16:40 UTC, a magnitude M5.2 earthquake occurred near Saidor District, Madang (Papua New Guinea). With a focal depth of about 5 km, this was a shallow earthquake, whose shaking is usually felt more strongly at the surface. Earthquakes of this magnitude can damage poorly built structures.

The event was recorded by USP. Papua New Guinea: over the past 24 hours, QuakeMap24 logged 4 earthquakes, the strongest at M5.0.

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Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 5.1 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 5.1 km
Shallow
5.1 km
5.1 km — shallower than the regional average (85 km)
Regional average: 85 km
Why depth matters

Shallow quakes release energy near the surface — shaking is felt more strongly and damage potential is higher.

Depth classes per USGS

Nearby population centers

Distances are straight-line distances from the epicenter. Population data: GeoNames.

PlaceDistanceDirectionPopulation
Lae118.0 kmS76'255
Port Moresby424.6 kmS283'733

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Long Island
    Distance: 46 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 1'263 m ·Last eruption: 1993 ·Papua New Guinea
  • Hankow Reef
    Distance: 89 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -5 m ·Papua New Guinea
  • Umboi
    Distance: 111 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 1'335 m ·Papua New Guinea
  • Sakar
    Distance: 135 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 947 m ·Papua New Guinea
  • Ritter Island
    Distance: 136 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 75 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·Papua New Guinea
  • Karkar
    Distance: 152 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'839 m ·Last eruption: 1979 ·Papua New Guinea

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

Events recorded after this earthquake within 150 km. They are not automatically classified as aftershocks.

First 6 hours3
First 24 hours3
First 72 hours3
Strongest subsequent eventM5.9
M5.82025-07-21 16:41:08 UTC42.0 km91 km ENE of Kainantu, Papua New Guinea M5.92025-07-21 16:41:11 UTC38.6 kmPapua New Guinea Region M5.82025-07-21 16:41:11 UTC38.6 kmEASTERN NEW GUINEA REG., P.N.G. M4.62025-07-31 08:18:36 UTC96.3 km37 km SE of Madang, Papua New Guinea M4.72025-07-31 08:18:37 UTC121.1 kmPapua New Guinea Region M4.62025-07-31 08:18:37 UTC121.1 kmEASTERN NEW GUINEA REG., P.N.G. M4.82025-08-06 06:37:53 UTC69.5 kmPapua New Guinea Region

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#9
Earlier events M≥462
Earlier events M≥515
Compared since2025-01-06

The QuakeMap24 comparison dataset begins on 2024-03-23. Earlier earthquakes may not be included.

Strongest earlier events

M5.72025-06-19 16:37:40 UTC110.4 kmPapua New Guinea Region M5.52025-06-19 16:37:42 UTC122.8 kmEASTERN NEW GUINEA REG., P.N.G. M5.52025-04-13 03:48:23 UTC131.2 km46 km E of Lae, Papua New Guinea M5.42025-06-07 02:51:40 UTC61.2 kmPapua New Guinea Region M5.22025-07-18 14:33:08 UTC28.9 kmEASTERN NEW GUINEA REG., P.N.G.

Historic earthquake map · Papua New Guinea

Open history map
Explore recent and long-term earthquake activity in this country. Use filters to narrow down by magnitude, depth, and date range.

Country statistics · Papua New Guinea

Country overview
View earthquake KPIs, strongest and latest events, and averages for this country.

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