Shallow M5.6 earthquake hits near Ternate, Indonesia
An earthquake measuring M5.6 was recorded at 00:22 UTC on April 3, 2026, about 120 km (75 miles) west-northwest of Ternate, Indonesia. The event struck at a depth of 35.0 km (21.7 miles), according to data from USGS.
Located at coordinates 1.3°N, 126.4°E, the epicenter places it offshore, near the Maluku Islands of eastern Indonesia, in proximity to the island city of Ternate—an important regional center in North Maluku province.
This area is characterized by busy shipping routes and small local ports. Key infrastructure that may be present nearby includes coastal fisheries, small airports, and inter-island ferry connections serving regional populations.
There is no tsunami threat associated with this earthquake, based on its location and available data.
USGS issued a green alert for this event, indicating a low likelihood of casualties or damage. The maximum estimated intensity reached IV, and the significance index is 482 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), based on magnitude, felt reports, and estimated impact.
Eastern Indonesia is one of the most seismically active regions globally, lying at the convergence of the Pacific, Australian, and Eurasian tectonic plates, leading to frequent moderate to strong earthquakes.
This information was last updated at 01:06 UTC on April 3, 2026.