Ambon, Indonesia — A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck deep beneath the sea south-southeast of Ambon, Indonesia, on Sunday afternoon.

What happened:

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake was recorded at 2:51 p.m. Central Time on Sunday, November 15, about 256 kilometers south-southeast of Ambon, Indonesia. The quake struck at a depth of about 306 kilometers, which is very deep for an earthquake. Deep quakes like this one start far below the surface, and the shaking they cause at ground level is often much weaker than a shallow quake of the same size.

Impacts:

No felt reports had been filed with the U.S. Geological Survey at the time of this report, and no damage reports were available. No tsunami warning was issued. The epicenter sits well offshore from Ambon, the capital of Maluku province, in a region where the earth's plates meet and earthquakes are common.

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 yourself and those around you for injuries, then check your home for hazards like gas leaks or broken glass.

Be ready for aftershocks. They can follow a larger quake and may cause more shaking.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), November 15, 2026.