M4.8 earthquake strikes offshore northeast of Mbay; BMKG rules out tsunami

Mbay — A magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck offshore 31 kilometres northeast of Mbay, Nagekeo, on 22 September 2026 at 10:36:27 a.m. Western Indonesia Time, according to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

Why it matters: Residents and travellers across Nagekeo, Ngada, Sikka, Ende and Manggarai may have felt the earthquake, while BMKG reported no tsunami potential and continued monitoring the aftershock sequence.

The earthquake occurred at a depth of 14 kilometres. BMKG's NTT head, Arief Tyastama, said its tsunami modelling found that the earthquake had no tsunami potential.

The strongest shaking was recorded in Nagekeo at intensity IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale, while residents in Ngada, Sikka and Ende reported intensity III shaking and Manggarai reported intensity II, according to BMKG information cited by Tribun Flores.

The event was part of the aftershock sequence following the magnitude 7.7 Flores earthquake on 15 August, Pos-Kupang reported, citing BMKG. By 10:50 a.m. Western Indonesia Time on 22 September, BMKG had recorded 17,442 aftershocks since the main earthquake.

BMKG advised people to remain alert to possible aftershocks. The agency's initial earthquake parameters can be revised as further analysis is completed, according to the BMKG information cited in the report.

What happened

• The magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck offshore northeast of Mbay on 22 September 2026.
• The epicentre was 31 kilometres northeast of Mbay at a depth of 14 kilometres.
• BMKG said the earthquake had no tsunami potential and recorded 17,442 aftershocks in the sequence by 10:50 a.m. Western Indonesia Time.

Sources

• Pos-Kupang
• Metro TV News