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Earthquakes in Papua New Guinea — October 2026

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

22 reached magnitude 4 or above and 5 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 66 km.

The month's largest event in Papua New Guinea was a magnitude 6.2 earthquake near Panguna, Papua New Guinea on 11 October 2026 at 14:07 UTC. A magnitude 6.2 earthquake radiates roughly 30,089 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 16 recorded the previous month.

64% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 36% 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 17 in the magnitude 4 range, 3 in the magnitude 5 range, 2 in the magnitude 6 range.

Activity peaked on 10 October, when 3 events were recorded.

The month's largest events were M6.2 near Panguna, Papua New Guinea on 11 October at 53 km; M6.0 near Kokopo, Papua New Guinea on 13 October at 21 km; M5.3 near Kokopo, Papua New Guinea on 13 October at 19 km.

That is 13% below the 25 events Papua New Guinea averages per month across the 23 months on record.

Events recorded22
StrongestM6.2
Average depth66 km
Magnitude 4+22
Magnitude 5+5

Largest earthquakes in Papua New Guinea, October 2026

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

Time (UTC) Mag Location Depth (km) Country Details
6.2 Panguna, Papua New Guinea 53.5 Papua New Guinea View details View
6.0 Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 20.8 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.3 Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 18.5 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.1 Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 38.7 Papua New Guinea View details View
5.0 Panguna, Papua New Guinea 38.2 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.9 Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 35.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.9 Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 20.6 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.9 Lae, Papua New Guinea 94.2 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.9 Panguna, Papua New Guinea 35.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.8 Panguna, Papua New Guinea 142.5 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.7 Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 10.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.7 Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 50.5 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.6 Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 10.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.6 Rabaul, Papua New Guinea 10.0 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.6 Vanimo, Papua New Guinea 30.4 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.6 Angoram, Papua New Guinea 101.5 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.6 Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 162.1 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.6 Lae, Papua New Guinea 81.9 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.6 Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 86.7 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.4 Kandrian, Papua New Guinea 56.8 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.4 Kimbe, Papua New Guinea 124.9 Papua New Guinea View details View
4.4 Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea 232.1 Papua New Guinea View details View

Frequently asked questions

How many earthquakes hit Papua New Guinea in October 2026?

22 earthquakes were recorded in Papua New Guinea during October 2026, of which 22 were magnitude 4 or above.

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

A magnitude 6.2 event near Panguna, Papua New Guinea on 11 October 2026.

Other months in Papua New Guinea

Magnitudes for October 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.