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Earthquakes in Papua New Guinea — March 2026

15 earthquakes were recorded in Papua New Guinea during March 2026, an average of 0.5 per day.

15 reached magnitude 4 or above and 3 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 105 km.

The month's largest event in Papua New Guinea was a magnitude 5.4 earthquake near Kokopo, Papua New Guinea on 29 March 2026 at 18:09 UTC. A magnitude 5.4 earthquake radiates roughly 1,898 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 down from the 27 recorded the previous month.

67% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 20% intermediate (70–300 km) and 13% deep-focus (over 300 km). That proportion of deep-focus events is the signature of a subduction zone: only a cold slab descending into the mantle stays brittle enough to rupture at those depths.

By band, the catalogue holds 12 in the magnitude 4 range, 3 in the magnitude 5 range.

Activity peaked on 17 March, when 2 events were recorded.

The month's largest events were M5.4 near Kokopo, Papua New Guinea on 29 March at 43 km; M5.2 near Kavieng, Papua New Guinea on 12 March at 10 km; M5.0 near Kokopo, Papua New Guinea on 25 March at 10 km.

That is 42% below the 26 events Papua New Guinea averages per month across the 21 months on record.

Events recorded15
StrongestM5.4
Average depth105 km
Magnitude 4+15
Magnitude 5+3

Largest earthquakes in Papua New Guinea, March 2026

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

Time (UTC) Mag Location Depth (km) Country Details
5.4 Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 43.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.2 Kavieng, Papua New Guinea 10.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.0 Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 10.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.9 Kimbe, Papua New Guinea 10.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.8 Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 56.3 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.8 Lorengau, Papua New Guinea 10.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.8 Kavieng, Papua New Guinea 10.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.7 Madang, Papua New Guinea 115.1 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.7 Alotau, Papua New Guinea 10.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.6 Lorengau, Papua New Guinea 10.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.5 Mendi, Papua New Guinea 11.6 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.5 Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea 174.2 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.5 Rabaul, Papua New Guinea 450.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.5 Rabaul, Papua New Guinea 460.2 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.3 Madang, Papua New Guinea 190.5 Papua New Guinea View details View

Frequently asked questions

How many earthquakes hit Papua New Guinea in March 2026?

15 earthquakes were recorded in Papua New Guinea during March 2026, of which 15 were magnitude 4 or above.

What was the biggest earthquake in Papua New Guinea in March 2026?

A magnitude 5.4 event near Kokopo, Papua New Guinea on 29 March 2026.

Other months in Papua New Guinea

Magnitudes for March 2026 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.