Shallow M5.7 earthquake hits offshore Papua New Guinea

An earthquake of magnitude M5.7 was registered at 13:27 UTC on April 30, 2026, approximately 234 km (145 miles) southeast of Lorengau, Papua New Guinea. The quake occurred at a shallow depth of 10.0 km (6.2 miles), according to data from USGS.

The event was located offshore, with epicentral coordinates at 148.8°E, 3.5°S, in the Bismarck Sea region southeast of Manus Island. This area is known for its seismic activity due to tectonic complexity nearby.

Given the offshore location, main infrastructure at risk nearby would likely include shipping lanes, smaller ports, and limited airstrips serving local islands. No major metropolitan infrastructure was directly within the vicinity of the epicenter.

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 was IV. The significance index is 500 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), based on magnitude, felt reports, and estimated impact.

Papua New Guinea sits atop the complex boundary between the Australian and Pacific plates, making it a tectonically active region with frequent shallow and intermediate earthquakes due to subduction and transform fault processes in the surrounding seas.

This information was last updated at 13:51 UTC on April 30, 2026.