M 5.2 Earthquake Strikes Near Kavieng, Papua New Guinea
A moderate 5.2 magnitude earthquake occurred approximately 155 kilometers southwest of Kavieng, Papua New Guinea, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers on March 15, 2026.
What Happened
A moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 5.2 (mww) was recorded southwest of Kavieng, Papua New Guinea. The seismic event occurred on March 15, 2026, at 21:58:46 UTC. The event has been reviewed by seismologists at the USGS.
Location Details
The epicenter was located at coordinates -3.5314, 149.7727, approximately 155 km southwest of Kavieng. The earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 km. Shallow earthquakes, defined as those occurring at depths of less than 20 km, are typically felt more intensely at the surface than deeper seismic events.
Impact Assessment
At this time, there are no felt reports submitted to the USGS for this event. According to the available data, no tsunami advisory has been issued (tsunami status: 0). No specific alert level color or MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) data was provided for this event, suggesting it occurred in a region where immediate impact reports are limited.
What You Should Know
A magnitude 5.2 event is classified as a “moderate earthquake.” While such events can cause damage to poorly constructed buildings in populated areas, they often result in minimal impact when occurring in remote or offshore regions. Residents in the vicinity should remain aware of the potential for aftershocks, which are common following an event of this size.
Source
Data and attribution provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.
Source: USGS Official Notice