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M6.4 Earthquake Hits Eastern New Guinea

USGS exposure models show hundreds of thousands felt shaking and the agency says the quake’s intermediate depth makes major casualties unlikely.

Overview

  • The quake registered M6.4 at 09:17 UTC on Sunday and was recorded by USGS and EMSC with a focal depth of about 104 km.
  • USGS located the epicenter roughly 50 km NNE of Kainantu and within 80–155 km of regional towns including Goroka, Madang and Lae.
  • Population-exposure estimates from USGS indicate about 386,000 people felt moderate shaking and roughly 1,051,000 felt light shaking.
  • Authorities reported no tsunami threat and issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses, signaling a low likelihood of widespread damage.
  • Officials warn that vulnerable local buildings could suffer localized damage and that limited liquefaction or landslides remain possible, so field assessments are needed to confirm impacts and needs.