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M5.4 Depth: 65.2 km

M5.4 Earthquake near Iwatola, Morobe (Papua New Guinea)

UTC time: 2026-09-02 20:04:33 UTC Local time: —
M5.4 earthquake near Iwatola on Sep 2, 2026 — map of epicenter and shaking intensity | QuakeMap24
M5.4 Earthquake near Iwatola, Morobe (Papua New Guinea) · 2026-09-02 20:04:33 UTC

About this earthquake

On September 2, 2026 at 20:04 UTC, a magnitude M5.4 earthquake occurred near Iwatola, Morobe (Papua New Guinea). With a focal depth of about 65 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 USGS.

Details

Magnitude
M5.4
Depth
65.2 km
UTC time
2026-09-02 20:04:33 UTC
Local time
—
Country
Papua New Guinea
State
Morobe
City
Iwatola
County
Menyamya District
Village
Iwatola
Source
usgs
Coordinates
-7.18150, 146.15390
Temperature
25.5°C

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 65.2 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 65.2 km
Shallow
65.2 km
65.2 km — shallower than the regional average (81.8 km)
Regional average: 81.8 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

Estimated impact

Green No or minimal impact expected.
Estimated population exposed
IV 741'632

Ground shaking

IV
Light · Intensity (MMI) IV
Felt by many, no damage.

Tectonic context

Located on the Woodlark Plate.
Near the boundary Woodlark ↔ Australia · about 74 km away

Nearby population centers

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

PlaceDistanceDirectionPopulation
Bulolo53.4 kmE16'042
Port Moresby266.6 kmSE283'733

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Long Island
    Distance: 233 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 1'263 m ·Last eruption: 1993 ·Papua New Guinea
  • Umboi
    Distance: 261 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 1'335 m ·Papua New Guinea
  • Hankow Reef
    Distance: 263 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -5 m ·Papua New Guinea
  • Karkar
    Distance: 283 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'839 m ·Last eruption: 1979 ·Papua New Guinea
  • Ritter Island
    Distance: 285 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 75 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·Papua New Guinea
  • Sakar
    Distance: 290 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 947 m ·Papua New Guinea

Comparison of seismic sources

4 sources currently report magnitudes from M5.3 to M5.7.

Measurements can differ because agencies use different networks and calculation methods. Values may be revised.

SourceMagnitudeDepthPosition difference
GFZM5.710.0 km3.0 km
RESIFM5.310.0 km11.4 km
EMSCM5.7169.0 km11.8 km
USGSM5.465.2 km0.0 km

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#10
Earlier events M≥430
Earlier events M≥513
Compared since2025-01-08

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

Strongest earlier events

M6.72025-10-07 11:05:19 UTC94.8 kmEASTERN NEW GUINEA REG., P.N.G. M6.72025-10-07 11:05:17 UTC91.9 kmGabensis M6.72025-10-07 11:05:17 UTC95.9 kmEastern New Guinea region M6.72025-10-07 11:05:15 UTC107.4 kmPapua New Guinea [Land] M6.62025-10-07 11:05:18 UTC87.0 km26 km WSW of Lae, Papua New Guinea

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.

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
611
Country (24h)
Papua New Guinea
0
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