M4.9 Earthquake Strikes Near Panguna, Papua New Guinea

Panguna, Papua New Guinea — A magnitude 4.9 earthquake shook the island of Bougainville late Sunday night, centered offshore to the northwest of Panguna.

What happened: The U.S. Geological Survey places the quake about 175 kilometers, or roughly 109 miles, west-northwest of Panguna, at a depth of about 88 kilometers, or around 55 miles below the surface. It struck at 11:19 PM Central Time on Sunday, November 1, 2026. A quake at that depth typically spreads its shaking over a wider area while feeling weaker at the surface than a shallow quake of the same size.

Impacts: One felt report had been logged at the time of this report. No tsunami warning was issued, and no damage reports had been confirmed.

What to do: If you feel shaking, drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy table, and hold on until the shaking stops. Stay away from windows, heavy furniture, and anything that could fall. After the shaking stops, check for hazards such as gas leaks, broken glass, and damaged walls before moving around. Be ready for aftershocks, which can follow a quake like this one.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), November 1, 2026.