Updated 2022-05-03 18:57:22 UTC

M 7.9 — 35 km WNW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea

Magnitude 7.9, depth 135.0 km, 2017-01-22 04:30:22 UTC.

MagnitudeM 7.9
Depth135.0 km
Felt reports30
Statusreviewed
TsunamiYes
Quake Pulse Activity Index

Activity trend

A high index means recent activity is high relative to the selected historical baseline. It does not mean that a larger earthquake is about to occur.

Quake Pulse Activity Index33/100Normal
Current 30 days22
Historical monthly median26.0
Historical percentileP33
M5+ in 30 days11
M6+ in 30 days0
Activity trendbelow the historical median (-15%)
Baseline months: 60Last calculation: 2026-09-03 06:17:39How the index works →
Quake Pulse

What to know

A short factual reading of this event from the available observations.

  • Magnitude M 7.9 at 135.0 km depth.
  • 30 felt report(s) are associated with the USGS record.
  • The USGS tsunami flag is enabled for this event.
  • The available PAGER level is YELLOW.
Counts describe detected earthquakes and are not a forecast or hazard assessment.
Quake Pulse

Within the Quake Pulse database

Long-term comparisons are more robust at higher magnitudes because small-earthquake detection capability has changed over time.

Magnitude rank in database#30
Magnitude rank in country#1
M4.5+ within 250 km, ±15 days15
Sequence context25 events →
Remarkable

Why this event stands out

high magnitude · tsunami flag · PAGER level

79/100
Quake Pulse

Impact and context

Descriptive indicators available for this event and its surroundings.

79/100Very high context
Felt reports30
Max felt intensity (CDI)9.1
Instrumental intensity (MMI)7.3
PAGER alertYELLOW
Tsunami indicatorYES
USGS significance987
Depth contextIntermediate
Nearby major city—
● Quake Pulse Alerts

Follow this area

Get an e-mail when a new earthquake matches your threshold.

Create an alert →

These indicators describe data available after detection. They are neither a forecast nor a direct estimate of damage or individual risk.

Quake Pulse

Around this epicenter

Nearby events observed around this epicenter. Spatial proximity does not necessarily mean they belong to the same sequence.

Descriptive map centered on the epicenter; it does not represent felt intensity or risk.

Sequence context

This event belongs to a sequence detected by Quake Pulse.

Open sequence →

Nearby events · 100 km

Quake Pulse

USGS data evolution

Earthquake parameters can be revised after first publication. This timeline shows versions retained by Quake Pulse.

Revisions1
Magnitude change+0.0M 7.9 → M 7.9
Depth change+0.0 km
Last update2333076 min
2022-05-03 18:57:22 UTC2022-05-03 18:57:22 UTC

Explore related context

Putting this earthquake in context

An earthquake record can change after the first automatic publication as additional stations contribute data and analysts refine the solution.

Interpret the numbers

Magnitude, depth, felt reports and status describe different parts of the event. None of them alone predicts the consequences for a specific city.

Important limits

If the earthquake creates a safety concern, follow local authorities and official warning channels rather than relying on a public data website.

Read the methodology →

Blog

Latest from the blog

Guides, explainers and practical reading to go beyond the live data.

View all articles →