M6.1 earthquake - 203 km S of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea
16385 d ago · 6 Dec 1981, 12:50 UTC 203 km S of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea
What happened
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck 203 km S of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea on 6 Dec 1981, 12:50 UTC at a depth of 33 km.
Earthquakes of this size are classed as Strong. Can cause damage in populated areas up to tens of kilometres away. This was a shallow earthquake, which tends to be felt more strongly at the surface.
The nearest town in our records is Kokopo, about 204 km away in East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea.
Timeline
First reported by USGS
16 Oct 2026, 20:46 UTC
Community
Did you feel it?
Nearby in the last 30 days
- 4.9
M4.9 earthquake - 121 km S of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea
35 km deep
Moderate - 4.7
M4.7 earthquake - 128 km S of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea
10 km deep
Moderate - 4.6
M4.6 earthquake - 75 km E of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea
10 km deep
Moderate - 6.0
M6.0 earthquake - 126 km S of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea
21 km deep
Major - 5.1
M5.1 earthquake - 123 km S of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea
37 km deep
Strong - 5.3
M5.3 earthquake - 129 km S of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea
30 km deep
Strong - 4.6
M4.6 earthquake - 51 km NNW of Rabaul, Papua New Guinea
10 km deep
Moderate - 4.4
M4.4 earthquake near Kimbe, West New Britain Province
57 km deep
Moderate - 4.7
M4.7 earthquake - 121 km S of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea
51 km deep
Moderate - 4.9
M4.9 earthquake - 55 km ESE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea
21 km deep
Moderate