M6.7 Earthquake Strikes southeast of the Loyalty Islands

Seismologists have recorded a magnitude 6.7 earthquake in Australia, with the epicentre located southeast of the Loyalty Islands. The event occurred at 14:45 UTC on Monday, July 13, 2026 and originated at a depth of 10.0 km.

Seismic Context for Australia

Australia sits in the interior of the Indo-Australian Plate, far from active plate boundaries. While considered a stable continent, it experiences moderate intraplate seismicity — and because its population is concentrated along the coast, even moderate earthquakes can affect large numbers of people.

Australia's largest recorded earthquake was the 1988 Tennant Creek sequence (M6.7–6.8) in the Northern Territory. More recently, the 2016 Petermann Ranges earthquake (M6.1) produced a dramatic surface rupture. Historical underestimation of Australian seismic hazard has been revised upward as geological research uncovers evidence of prehistoric large earthquakes.

About This Event

At a focal depth of 10.0 km, this is classified as a shallow earthquake (0–70 km). Shallow events are typically the most damaging: the seismic energy has less distance to travel before reaching the surface, resulting in stronger and more abrupt ground shaking at the epicentre.

In terms of felt effects, a magnitude 6.7 earthquake is typically potentially destructive across a wide area, capable of causing widespread damage and casualties. Major earthquakes produce violent shaking that can last a minute or longer. Damage is widespread and severe. Ground rupture, large-scale landslides, liquefaction, and infrastructure failure are likely near the epicentre. Events at this magnitude can generate tsunamis if they occur under or near the ocean.

Understanding the Magnitude Scale

Earthquake magnitude is measured on a logarithmic scale — meaning each whole-number increase corresponds to roughly 32 times more energy released and approximately 10 times greater ground motion amplitude. A magnitude 6.7 event therefore releases significantly more energy than its number alone might suggest to the casual observer.

A magnitude 6.7 earthquake is among the most powerful geological events that regularly affect human populations. The energy released — approximately the energy of several large nuclear detonations — is comparable to the detonation of several nuclear weapons, spread over a fault rupture that can extend for tens or hundreds of kilometres.

Major earthquakes are capable of causing widespread building collapse, particularly in areas with high proportions of older or non-engineered construction. Casualties from building collapses and secondary hazards (fires, gas leaks, dam failure) are a serious concern. Emergency response systems are typically overwhelmed in the immediate aftermath.

What to Do After an Earthquake

Keep an earthquake emergency kit accessible at home. It should include at least 72 hours of water (4 litres per person per day), non-perishable food, a first aid kit, torch, battery-powered radio, copies of important documents, and essential medications. Reviewing and restocking this kit annually is strongly recommended.

During and after an earthquake, follow instructions from official civil protection, emergency services, and government authorities. Avoid spreading unverified information on social media. Official channels provide the most reliable information about aftershock risk, evacuation orders, and available assistance.

Staying Informed

Geoscience Australia monitors seismic activity nationwide. Given Australia's relatively low frequency of damaging earthquakes, public earthquake preparedness awareness is an ongoing priority.

QuakeWatch publishes real-time earthquake data sourced from the USGS global catalog — covering every detected seismic event worldwide, 24 hours a day. Visit our live map to see this and all other recent earthquakes, or explore our guide to earthquake magnitude for a deeper understanding of what these numbers mean in practice.

Community Felt Reports

If you felt this earthquake, your experience contributes to an important scientific dataset. The USGS "Did You Feel It?" (DYFI) system and QuakeWatch's own community reports platform collect first-hand accounts of shaking intensity from people across the affected region. These reports — describing where people were, what they felt, and what moved or was damaged — help seismologists map shaking intensity across an area much larger than any single seismograph can cover. Visit the earthquake's detail page on our live map to submit your own report.