M 4.9 in Papua New Guinea on 20 Dec 2016 15:21 UTC

Hazard models

EQ parameters
Shakemap
Tsunami

Event summary

This is a preliminary assessment. The final GDACS Alert Level has been/will be published using more detailed information.

This earthquake is expected to have a low humanitarian impact based on the magnitude and the affected population and their vulnerability.

Earthquake Magnitude: 4.9M
Depth: 85.94 Km
Lat/Lon: -4.5085 , 153.806
Event Date: 20 Dec 2016 15:21 UTC
21 Dec 2016 01:21 Local
Exposed Population:
About 19225 people within 100km
Source: NEIC us200082uh
Inserted at: 20 Dec 2016 15:43 UTC

GDACS Score

For more info on GDACS alert score click here.
  Earthquake GDACS score
NEIC n.a n.a
us200082uh Scaled population (vector) n.a  
  C1 earthquake n.a  
  C2 earthquake n.a  
  Country Vulnerability n.a  
  INFORM_normalised n.a  
Maximum expected impact using different data sources.

Episode Timeline

IDAlertScoreDateMag, DepthMMI*Population**Tsunami risk***Delay (hh:mm)Source
1151396 n.a 20 Dec 2016 15:21 4.9M, 85.94km N/A 20 thousand (in 100km) 00:21 NEIC
The episode that generated the alert; the next major evaluations beyond 12 hours will not trigger additional alerts.
The episode that has the last updated information.
* The max MMI detected for sources having shakemaps;
** The population detected in MMI>=7 for episode with shakemap or in a 100km radius;
*** The tsunami max height.

Exposed population

The earthquake happened in Papua New Guinea , Province of New Ireland (population 90,000) . The nearest places are Rokus, Pinipel I, Sirof, Yotchibol, Sigon Mission, Kulis, Siaken, Lihon Number 1, Tungol Mission, Warambif, and Warantaban.

Radius Population
100 km 19000 people
75 km 15000 people
50 km 6600 people
20 km no people
10 km no people
5 km no people
2 km no people

Affected Provinces

Region Province Country Population
New Ireland Papua New Guinea 90000 people
Northern Solomons Papua New Guinea 130000 people
East New Britain Papua New Guinea 170000 people
West New Britain Papua New Guinea 130000 people
Solomon Is. Solomon Islands 370000 people

Affected populated places

Name Region Province Country City class Population Distance
Rokus Bougainville Papua New Guinea Village - 37 km
Pinipel I Bougainville Papua New Guinea Village - 38 km
Sirof Bougainville Papua New Guinea Village - 40 km
Yotchibol Bougainville Papua New Guinea Village - 40 km
Sigon Mission Bougainville Papua New Guinea Village - 42 km
Kulis Bougainville Papua New Guinea Village - 44 km
Siaken Bougainville Papua New Guinea Village - 44 km
Lihon Number 1 Bougainville Papua New Guinea Village - 45 km
Tungol Mission Bougainville Papua New Guinea Village - 45 km
Warambif New Ireland Papua New Guinea Village - 46 km
Natong New Ireland Papua New Guinea Village - 47 km
Tanamalit Bougainville Papua New Guinea Village - 47 km
Mapiri Bougainville Papua New Guinea Village - 47 km
Tabulam New Ireland Papua New Guinea Village - 52 km
Waramung New Ireland Papua New Guinea Village - 54 km
Tawomla New Ireland Papua New Guinea Village - 54 km
Naliu New Ireland Papua New Guinea Village - 55 km
Balangit New Ireland Papua New Guinea Village - 55 km
Fatkarsan New Ireland Papua New Guinea Village - 55 km
Tanambia New Ireland Papua New Guinea Village - 56 km
Feni Mission New Ireland Papua New Guinea Village - 56 km
Warantaban New Ireland Papua New Guinea Village - 57 km

see full list

Critical infrastructure

Airports, ports, nuclear plants and hydrodams at risk, if affected, are listed below.

Airports

Name IATA Code Elevation (m) Usage Runway type IFR Runway Length (ft) Distance
Green Islands GEI unknown 0 39 km
Malekolon MKN 2 0 56 km
Silur SWR unknown 0 84 km
Manga MGP unknown 0 96 km

Ports

Name LOCODE Country Distance
Nissan Island Papua New Guinea 45 km

More information

For a full list of available products related to this event, please refer to the GDACS Resources page.