Shallow M5.5 earthquake hits offshore North Maluku, Indonesia
An earthquake of magnitude M5.5 occurred at 23:07 UTC on April 1, 2026, about 110 km (68 miles) west-northwest of Ternate, Indonesia. The event was registered at a depth of 35.0 km (21.7 miles), according to USGS data.
The epicenter, located at 1.0°N, 126.4°E, was offshore North Maluku, in the waters to the west-northwest of Ternate. This region is composed of volcanic islands scattered across the Halmahera Sea, with nearby localities including Ternate and other settlements on Halmahera Island.
Given its location in the North Maluku region, vital infrastructure such as regional ports, shipping lanes, and local airports could be situated nearby. The area serves as an important marine transit point within eastern Indonesia.
There is no tsunami threat associated with this earthquake, based on its location and available data.
The significance index for this event is 465 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), reflecting its magnitude and the characteristics of the affected area.
The North Maluku region lies within the seismically active zone associated with the complex tectonic boundaries between the Eurasian, Pacific, and Philippine Sea Plates. Earthquakes are common due to the significant tectonic movements in the area.
This information was last updated at 23:21 UTC on April 1, 2026.