Shallow M5.6 earthquake hits near Maba, Indonesia

An earthquake measuring M5.6 was recorded at 08:22 UTC on September 1, 2026, approximately 82 km (51 miles) southeast of Maba, Indonesia, at a depth of 10.0 km (6.2 miles).

The event was located at 128.8°E, 0.2°N, placing it in eastern Indonesia, a region known for tectonic complexity and volcanic activity. Maba is a town on the island of Halmahera, North Maluku. The coordinates indicate the quake occurred inland, impacting rural and possibly remote communities.

In this area, critical infrastructure is generally limited to regional roads, local ports, airstrips, and small-scale utilities. Larger urban and industrial centers are distant from the epicentral region.

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 around VI (6.202), and the significance index is 482 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), based on magnitude, felt reports, and estimated impact.

Indonesia sits along the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire, where the Australian, Pacific, and Eurasian plates interact. The North Maluku region experiences frequent moderate to occasional strong earthquakes due to complex tectonic boundaries.

This information was last updated at 08:46 UTC on September 1, 2026.