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M6.0 Depth: 10.0 km

M6.0 Earthquake near New Ireland Region, Papua New Guinea

UTC time: 2025-09-16 16:59:46 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

A magnitude M6.0 earthquake was recorded near New Ireland Region, Papua New Guinea on September 16, 2025 at 16:59 UTC. The hypocenter lay relatively close to the surface at around 10 km, increasing how strongly it was felt. Earthquakes of this magnitude can cause significant damage in populated areas.

The event was recorded by GFZ.

Details

Magnitude
M6.0
Depth
10.0 km
UTC time
2025-09-16 16:59:46 UTC
Local time
—
Country
—
Source
gfz
Coordinates
-5.41000, 153.76000
Temperature
27.9°C

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
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
Kokopo203.4 kmNW26'273
Port Moresby857.5 kmSW283'733

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Balbi
    Distance: 148 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 2'715 m ·Papua New Guinea
  • Bagana
    Distance: 178 km ·Lava cone ·Elevation: 1'855 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Papua New Guinea
  • Billy Mitchell
    Distance: 179 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: 1'544 m ·Last eruption: 1580 ·Papua New Guinea
  • Rabaul
    Distance: 217 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: 688 m ·Last eruption: 2014 ·Papua New Guinea
  • Tavui
    Distance: 224 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: 200 m ·Last eruption: -4946 ·Papua New Guinea
  • Takuan Group
    Distance: 234 km ·Compound ·Elevation: 2'210 m ·Papua New Guinea

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

Events recorded after this earthquake within 250 km. They are not automatically classified as aftershocks.

First 6 hours2
First 24 hours2
First 72 hours3
Strongest subsequent eventM6.1
M6.02025-09-16 16:59:51 UTC6.7 kmNEW IRELAND REGION, P.N.G. M6.12025-09-16 16:59:52 UTC6.1 kmPapua New Guinea [Sea] M4.72025-09-19 13:24:30 UTC186.2 km37 km W of Panguna, Papua New Guinea M4.62025-09-21 01:34:06 UTC177.6 kmNEW BRITAIN REGION, P.N.G. M5.02025-09-29 22:48:54 UTC225.9 kmNEW BRITAIN REGION, P.N.G. M5.02025-09-29 22:48:58 UTC213.0 kmNew Britain Region, Papua New Guinea M4.82025-10-14 19:32:33 UTC204.1 kmNorth of Solomon Islands M5.32025-10-14 19:32:41 UTC189.6 km206 km ENE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea M5.22025-10-14 19:32:41 UTC192.2 kmNorth of Solomon Islands M5.32025-10-14 19:32:41 UTC195.3 kmEvent of magnitude 5.3, near of Lae (Monde)

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 250 km.

Magnitude rank#4
Earlier events M≥4134
Earlier events M≥537
Compared since2025-01-01

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

Strongest earlier events

M6.52025-04-04 20:04:39 UTC237.8 km194 km ESE of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea M6.22025-04-12 03:47:13 UTC96.8 km M6.12025-04-12 03:47:09 UTC104.4 km105 km ESE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea M5.92025-08-07 16:33:59 UTC165.3 kmNew Britain Region, Papua New Guinea M5.92025-08-07 16:33:59 UTC158.9 kmNEW BRITAIN REGION, P.N.G.

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
654
Country (24h)
—
—
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