Strong and shallow M6.3 earthquake hits Papua, Indonesia
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 hit Papua, New Guinea at 08:24 UTC on August 12, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). BMKG is reporting M6.3 at a depth of 38 km (23 miles), EMSC M6.3 at a depth of 20 km (12.4 miles).
Epicenter of M6.3 earthquake in Papua, Indonesia on August 12, 2025. Credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 194 km (120 miles) WNW of Abepura (population 62 248) and 201 km (125 miles) WNW of Jayapura (population 404 004), Papua, Indonesia.
5 000 people are estimated to have felt very strong shaking, 17 000 strong and 14 000 moderate.
There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are unreinforced brick with concrete floor and precast concrete frame with wall construction.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.
Liquefaction triggered by this earthquake is estimated to be significant in severity and (or) spatial extent. However, the number of people living near areas that could have produced liquefaction in this earthquake is limited.
The number of people living near areas that could have produced landslides in this earthquake is low, but landslide damage or fatalities are still possible in highly susceptible areas.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M6.3 earthquake Papua, Indonesia – USGS – August 12, 2025
2 M6.3 earthquake Papua, Indonesia – EMSC – August 12, 2025
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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