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M6.0 Depth: 10.0 km

M6.0 Earthquake near Madang District, Madang (Papua New Guinea)

UTC time: 2026-01-20 07:21:49 UTC Local time: —
M6.0 earthquake near Madang District on Jan 20, 2026 — map of epicenter and shaking intensity | QuakeMap24
M6.0 Earthquake near Madang District, Madang (Papua New Guinea) · 2026-01-20 07:21:49 UTC

About this earthquake

On January 20, 2026 at 07:21 UTC, a magnitude M6.0 earthquake occurred near Madang District, Madang (Papua New Guinea). The hypocenter lay relatively close to the surface at around 10 km, increasing how strongly it was felt. Earthquakes of this magnitude can damage poorly built structures.

The data is provided by RESIF and cross-checked across seismological networks. Papua New Guinea: 2 earthquakes were recorded in the past 24 hours, the strongest reaching M5.0.

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 10 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 10 km
Shallow
10 km
10 km — shallower than the regional average (83.7 km)
Regional average: 83.7 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
Madang28.1 kmSW27'419
Port Moresby500.9 kmS283'733

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Karkar
    Distance: 52 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'839 m ·Last eruption: 1979 ·Papua New Guinea
  • Hankow Reef
    Distance: 82 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -5 m ·Papua New Guinea
  • Long Island
    Distance: 123 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 1'263 m ·Last eruption: 1993 ·Papua New Guinea
  • Manam
    Distance: 158 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'807 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Papua New Guinea
  • Bam
    Distance: 213 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 685 m ·Last eruption: 1960 ·Papua New Guinea
  • Umboi
    Distance: 214 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 1'335 m ·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
M5.62026-01-20 07:21:52 UTC28.9 kmMadang District M5.82026-01-20 07:21:54 UTC46.2 kmMindiri M5.92026-01-20 07:21:59 UTC18.6 kmMadang District M4.62026-02-03 21:24:30 UTC113.0 kmGangulut M4.82026-02-03 21:24:31 UTC125.4 kmGorgiok M4.62026-02-05 07:21:24 UTC112.5 kmMatafun M4.92026-02-13 19:08:17 UTC136.3 kmMiddle Ramu District M4.92026-02-13 19:08:17 UTC132.5 kmItutang M4.92026-02-16 07:36:34 UTC148.4 kmTawae-Siassi District

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#6
Earlier events M≥466
Earlier events M≥520
Compared since2025-01-06

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

Strongest earlier events

M6.52025-12-22 10:31:28 UTC88.6 km42 km NNE of Goroka, Papua New Guinea M6.42025-12-22 10:31:28 UTC92.5 kmPapua New Guinea [Land] M6.42025-12-22 10:31:27 UTC92.3 kmPapua New Guinea Region M6.42025-12-22 10:31:27 UTC95.6 kmEASTERN NEW GUINEA REG., P.N.G. M6.12025-12-22 10:31:18 UTC82.0 kmEvent of magnitude 6.1, near of Lae (Monde)

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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