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Earthquakes in Papua New Guinea — September 2025

19 earthquakes were recorded in Papua New Guinea during September 2025, an average of 0.6 per day.

19 reached magnitude 4 or above and 5 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 69 km.

The month's largest event in Papua New Guinea was a magnitude 6.0 earthquake near Kokopo, Papua New Guinea on 16 September 2025 at 16:59 UTC. A magnitude 6.0 earthquake radiates roughly 15,080 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.

That is below the Papua New Guinea monthly average of 26 events over the period we cover — a comparatively quiet month, and up from the 17 recorded the previous month.

53% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 47% intermediate (70–300 km) and 0% deep-focus (over 300 km). A substantial share of intermediate-depth events points to a subducting slab beneath the region rather than purely crustal faulting.

By band, the catalogue holds 14 in the magnitude 4 range, 4 in the magnitude 5 range, 1 in the magnitude 6 range.

Activity peaked on 20 September, when 2 events were recorded.

The month's largest events were M6.0 near Kokopo, Papua New Guinea on 16 September at 78 km; M5.3 near Kokopo, Papua New Guinea on 04 September at 60 km; M5.0 near Ambunti, Papua New Guinea on 24 September at 118 km.

That is 27% below the 26 events Papua New Guinea averages per month across the 21 months on record.

Events recorded19
StrongestM6.0
Average depth69 km
Magnitude 4+19
Magnitude 5+5

Largest earthquakes in Papua New Guinea, September 2025

19 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.

Time (UTC) Mag Location Depth (km) Country Details
6.0 Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 77.7 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.3 Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 59.9 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.0 Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 73.2 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.0 Ambunti, Papua New Guinea 117.6 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.0 Kandrian, Papua New Guinea 35.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.9 Kainantu, Papua New Guinea 110.8 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.9 Panguna, Papua New Guinea 95.2 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.9 Ambunti, Papua New Guinea 108.6 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.8 Kandrian, Papua New Guinea 10.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.8 Ambunti, Papua New Guinea 68.3 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.8 Kandrian, Papua New Guinea 10.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.7 Panguna, Papua New Guinea 149.5 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.7 Panguna, Papua New Guinea 39.2 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.7 Kimbe, Papua New Guinea 35.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.6 Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 10.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.6 Kainantu, Papua New Guinea 113.6 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.2 Kandrian, Papua New Guinea 55.1 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.2 Aitape, Papua New Guinea 47.5 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.1 Kieta, Papua New Guinea 99.0 Papua New Guinea View details View

Frequently asked questions

How many earthquakes hit Papua New Guinea in September 2025?

19 earthquakes were recorded in Papua New Guinea during September 2025, of which 19 were magnitude 4 or above.

What was the biggest earthquake in Papua New Guinea in September 2025?

A magnitude 6.0 event near Kokopo, Papua New Guinea on 16 September 2025.

Other months in Papua New Guinea

Magnitudes for September 2025 reflect the current USGS review status and may have been revised since first publication. See our guides on the magnitude scale, focal depth and why earthquakes cluster.