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Earthquakes in Papua New Guinea — September 2026

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

16 reached magnitude 4 or above and 10 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 91 km.

The month's largest event in Papua New Guinea was a magnitude 6.4 earthquake near Kainantu, Papua New Guinea on 20 September 2026 at 09:17 UTC. A magnitude 6.4 earthquake radiates roughly 60,036 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.

That is below the Papua New Guinea monthly average of 25 events over the period we cover — a comparatively quiet month, and down from the 21 recorded the previous month.

50% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 44% intermediate (70–300 km) and 6% 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 6 in the magnitude 4 range, 9 in the magnitude 5 range, 1 in the magnitude 6 range.

Activity peaked on 24 September, when 3 events were recorded.

The month's largest events were M6.4 near Kainantu, Papua New Guinea on 20 September at 104 km; M5.6 near Kokopo, Papua New Guinea on 26 September at 58 km; M5.5 near Kokopo, Papua New Guinea on 05 September at 114 km.

That is 37% below the 25 events Papua New Guinea averages per month across the 23 months on record.

Events recorded16
StrongestM6.4
Average depth91 km
Magnitude 4+16
Magnitude 5+10

Largest earthquakes in Papua New Guinea, September 2026

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

Time (UTC) Mag Location Depth (km) Country Details
6.4 Kainantu, Papua New Guinea 104.3 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.6 Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 57.8 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.5 Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 114.4 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.4 Kainantu, Papua New Guinea 116.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.4 Bulolo, Papua New Guinea 69.9 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.3 Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea 53.6 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.2 Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 95.6 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.1 Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 28.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.1 Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 94.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.0 Lae, Papua New Guinea 119.8 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.9 Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 63.6 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.9 Kimbe, Papua New Guinea 10.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.7 Panguna, Papua New Guinea 10.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.6 Madang, Papua New Guinea 59.9 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.5 Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea 99.2 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.3 Rabaul, Papua New Guinea 367.0 Papua New Guinea View details View

Frequently asked questions

How many earthquakes hit Papua New Guinea in September 2026?

16 earthquakes were recorded in Papua New Guinea during September 2026, of which 16 were magnitude 4 or above.

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

A magnitude 6.4 event near Kainantu, Papua New Guinea on 20 September 2026.

Other months in Papua New Guinea

Magnitudes for September 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.