Magnitude 6.9 earthquake — Pematangsiantar, Indonesia
Developed over time first seen 2 months ago
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck northern Sumatra, Indonesia, at 10:54 UTC (17:54 local time) on 15 August 2026. The US Geological Survey located it about 15 km north-north-west of Pematangsiantar at a depth of 172.5 km, while the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre placed it roughly 10 km north-north-west of the city and at 166 km depth. The depth meant the strongest effects were expected to be moderated relative to a similarly sized shallow earthquake; USGS-based assessments indicated moderate shaking across a large surrounding population.
Indonesia’s BMKG issued a revised local assessment of magnitude 6.4, placing the earthquake in the Simalungun area at about 168 km depth. It said the event was an intermediate-depth tectonic earthquake associated with subduction activity and that it did not have tsunami potential. BMKG reported shaking in Pematangsiantar and nearby areas, with stronger perceived shaking in several other North Sumatran towns, and said no aftershocks had been detected shortly after the event. International disaster-monitoring data classified the expected humanitarian impact as low; the official material reviewed did not report confirmed casualties or damage from this earthquake.
- A deep earthquake struck near Pematangsiantar on 15 August 2026.
- USGS recorded magnitude 6.9; BMKG later assessed it at magnitude 6.4.
- Authorities said there was no tsunami threat and assessed the likely impact as low.