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Earthquakes in Papua New Guinea — August 2026

21 earthquakes were recorded in Papua New Guinea during August 2026, an average of 0.7 per day.

21 reached magnitude 4 or above and 9 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 68 km.

The month's largest event in Papua New Guinea was a magnitude 5.4 earthquake near Angoram, Papua New Guinea on 15 August 2026 at 11:10 UTC. A magnitude 5.4 earthquake radiates roughly 1,898 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.

That is close to the Papua New Guinea monthly average of 25 events over the period we cover, and up from the 14 recorded the previous month.

62% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 38% 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 12 in the magnitude 4 range, 9 in the magnitude 5 range.

Activity peaked on 28 August, when 2 events were recorded.

The month's largest events were M5.4 near Angoram, Papua New Guinea on 15 August at 120 km; M5.2 near Ialibu, Papua New Guinea on 05 August at 10 km; M5.1 near Kandrian, Papua New Guinea on 17 August at 35 km.

That is 16% below the 25 events Papua New Guinea averages per month across the 22 months on record.

Events recorded21
StrongestM5.4
Average depth68 km
Magnitude 4+21
Magnitude 5+9

Largest earthquakes in Papua New Guinea, August 2026

21 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 Angoram, Papua New Guinea 120.2 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.2 Ialibu, Papua New Guinea 10.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.1 Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 35.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.1 Kandrian, Papua New Guinea 35.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.1 Madang, Papua New Guinea 138.7 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.0 Kimbe, Papua New Guinea 10.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.0 Angoram, Papua New Guinea 134.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.0 Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 68.9 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.0 Kerema, Papua New Guinea 10.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.9 Lorengau, Papua New Guinea 10.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.9 Lorengau, Papua New Guinea 10.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.9 Mendi, Papua New Guinea 10.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.6 Kimbe, Papua New Guinea 10.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.6 Madang, Papua New Guinea 130.1 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.5 Vanimo, Papua New Guinea 52.1 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.5 Aitape, Papua New Guinea 46.1 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.5 Vanimo, Papua New Guinea 10.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.5 Panguna, Papua New Guinea 109.3 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.5 Panguna, Papua New Guinea 104.5 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.4 Rabaul, Papua New Guinea 267.5 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.3 Lae, Papua New Guinea 103.0 Papua New Guinea View details View

Frequently asked questions

How many earthquakes hit Papua New Guinea in August 2026?

21 earthquakes were recorded in Papua New Guinea during August 2026, of which 21 were magnitude 4 or above.

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

A magnitude 5.4 event near Angoram, Papua New Guinea on 15 August 2026.

Other months in Papua New Guinea

Magnitudes for August 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.