How often does Papua New Guinea have earthquakes?

Papua New Guinea recorded 20 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater in the past 90 days. Over the last 5 years it has averaged about 95.2 notable quakes (magnitude 5.0 or greater) per year.

What was the largest recent earthquake in Papua New Guinea?

The largest earthquake in Papua New Guinea in the last 5 years was a magnitude 7.6 near 70 km E of Kainantu, Papua New Guinea.

When was the last major earthquake in Papua New Guinea?

The most recent earthquake of magnitude 5.0 or greater in Papua New Guinea was a magnitude 5.5 near 162 km E of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea.

What magnitude earthquake can you feel?

Most people begin to feel earthquakes around magnitude 3.0, though it depends on depth and distance. Shallow quakes close by feel stronger than deep or distant ones of the same size.

AUTHORITATIVE DATA SNAPSHOTUpdated Sep 12, 2026, 11:01 PM UTC

EARTHQUAKES · PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Papua New Guinea Earthquakes

Recent and significant earthquakes in Papua New Guinea, drawn from the USGS global earthquake feed and mapped with magnitude and time.

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Current earthquakes in Papua New Guinea (0)

Papua New Guinea has recorded 20 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater in the past 90 days.

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That is normal. Conditions can change, so check official local guidance when weather is developing.

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HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Recent earthquake history

Papua New Guinea has recorded 20 earthquakes of magnitude 5 or greater in the past 90 days.

Largest in 5 yearsM7.670 km E of Kainantu, Papua New Guinea · Sep 10, 2022

Most recent M5.0+M5.5162 km E of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea · Sep 5, 2026

Notable quakes (M5+) per year95.2average over 5 years

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Notable earthquakes (magnitude 5.0+) per year in Papua New Guinea

Notable earthquakes in Papua New Guinea (last 5 years)

Magnitude	Location	Date
M7.6	70 km E of Kainantu, Papua New Guinea	Sep 10, 2022
M7.0	40 km ESE of Ambunti, Papua New Guinea	Apr 2, 2023
M6.9	184 km ESE of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea	Apr 4, 2025
M6.9	36 km ENE of Ambunti, Papua New Guinea	Mar 23, 2024
M6.9	48 km SE of Madang, Papua New Guinea	Oct 7, 2023
M6.7	54 km SE of Madang, Papua New Guinea	Oct 7, 2023

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COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

How often does Papua New Guinea have earthquakes?: Papua New Guinea recorded 20 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater in the past 90 days. Over the last 5 years it has averaged about 95.2 notable quakes (magnitude 5.0 or greater) per year.
What was the largest recent earthquake in Papua New Guinea?: The largest earthquake in Papua New Guinea in the last 5 years was a magnitude 7.6 near 70 km E of Kainantu, Papua New Guinea.
When was the last major earthquake in Papua New Guinea?: The most recent earthquake of magnitude 5.0 or greater in Papua New Guinea was a magnitude 5.5 near 162 km E of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea.
What magnitude earthquake can you feel?: Most people begin to feel earthquakes around magnitude 3.0, though it depends on depth and distance. Shallow quakes close by feel stronger than deep or distant ones of the same size.

CONTEXT

About earthquakes in Papua New Guinea

Most earthquakes are too small to feel. The USGS reports millions of quakes a year worldwide, and the vast majority are below magnitude 2.5. A page showing no recent activity usually means no notable quakes, not that nothing is being measured.

Magnitude is a measure of the energy released at the source; shaking you actually feel also depends on depth and how far you are from the epicenter. A shallow magnitude 4 nearby can feel stronger than a deep magnitude 5 far away.

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