Moderate M5.6 earthquake strikes near Tobelo, Indonesia on September 14, 2026

A moderate M5.6 earthquake was recorded at 10:58 UTC on September 14, 2026, approximately 78 km (48 miles) north-northeast of Tobelo, Indonesia. According to USGS, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 162.2 km (100.8 miles).

The coordinates place the epicenter at 128.2°E, 2.4°N, situating it offshore near Halmahera Island in North Maluku province. The region consists of numerous smaller villages and towns, with Tobelo serving as a local administrative and economic center.

Key infrastructure in this region typically includes regional airports, coastal shipping facilities, and provincial highways serving the island communities and connecting larger population centers to Tobelo.

There is no tsunami threat associated with this earthquake, based on its location and available data.

The maximum estimated intensity was around III–IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale. The significance index is 482 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), based on magnitude, felt reports, and estimated impact.

Indonesia is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a tectonically active region where the Indo-Australian Plate subducts beneath the Eurasian Plate, resulting in frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity throughout the archipelago.

This information was last updated at 11:17 UTC on September 14, 2026.