# M4.9 Earthquake Strikes Off Papua New Guinea

**Kokopo, Papua New Guinea —** A magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of New Britain late Monday afternoon, shaking the sea floor south of Kokopo.

## What happened:

The quake hit at 5:42 PM Central time, centered about 52 kilometers south of Kokopo at a depth of 76 kilometers. The U.S. Geological Survey has reviewed the event. No tsunami alert has been issued.

## Impacts:

At that depth, shaking is usually felt less strongly at the surface than a shallow quake of the same size. There are no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

## What to do:

- Drop, cover and hold on if shaking starts — get under a sturdy table and stay there until it stops.

- After shaking ends, check for broken glass, toppled furniture and gas smells.

- Stay alert for aftershocks over the next day or two.

*Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), October 19, 2026.*