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4.2 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Indian Ocean at 90km Depth

A magnitude 4.2 earthquake struck the Indian Ocean on April 5, 2026, at a depth of 90 kilometers. The National Center for Seismology provided the precise coordinates and timing of the event. The quake is classified as an intermediate-depth earthquake, falling within the 70-300 km range defined by the USGS. The report references the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami as a historical context for seismic activity in the region.

Key Points: 4.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Indian Ocean

  • Magnitude 4.2 quake
  • Struck Indian Ocean
  • Depth of 90km
  • Classified as intermediate
  • No immediate damage reported
2 min read

Earthquake of magnitude 4.2 strikes Indian Ocean

A magnitude 4.2 earthquake struck the Indian Ocean at a depth of 90km, classified as an intermediate-depth event by seismologists.

"EQ of M: 4.2, On: 05/04/2026 05:39:28 IST, Lat: 5.305 N, Long: 93.972 E, Depth: 90 Km, Location: Indian Ocean. - National Center for Seismology"

Indian Ocean, April 5

An earthquake of magnitude 4.2 struck the Indian Ocean on Sunday, a statement by the National Center for Seismology said.

The earthquake struck at a depth of 90km.

In a post on X, NCS said, "EQ of M: 4.2, On: 05/04/2026 05:39:28 IST, Lat: 5.305 N, Long: 93.972 E, Depth: 90 Km, Location: Indian Ocean."

Earthquakes can occur anywhere between the Earth's surface and about 700 kilometres below the surface. For scientific purposes, this earthquake depth range of 0 - 700 km is divided into three zones: shallow, intermediate, and deep, as per USGS data.

Shallow earthquakes are between 0 and 70 km deep; intermediate earthquakes, 70 - 300 km deep; and deep earthquakes, 300 - 700 km deep. In general, the term "deep-focus earthquakes" is applied to earthquakes deeper than 70 km, the USGS states.

Earlier on December 26, 2004, at 07:58:53 (local time), a magnitude 9.2-9.3 earthquake struck with an epicentre off the west coast of Aceh in northern Sumatra, Indonesia. The undersea megathrust earthquake, known in the scientific community as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake, was caused by a rupture along the fault between the Burma plate and the Indian plate, and reached a Mercalli intensity of IX in some areas.

The earthquake caused a massive tsunami with waves up to 30 m (100 ft) high, known as the Boxing Day Tsunami after the Boxing Day holiday, or as the Asian Tsunami, which devastated communities along the surrounding coasts of the Indian Ocean, killing an estimated 227,898 people in 14 countries, especially in Aceh (Indonesia), Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu (India), and Khao Lak (Thailand).

The direct result was severe disruption to living conditions and commerce in coastal provinces of these and other surrounding countries. It is the deadliest tsunami in history, the deadliest natural disaster of the 21st century, and one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good to see our National Center for Seismology is monitoring and reporting these events promptly. Transparency is key for public awareness and safety.
D
David E
The scientific data is interesting, but the article spends too much time on the 2004 event for a 4.2 magnitude quake. It creates unnecessary alarm. The focus should be on the current, minor event.
A
Anjali F
Living in Chennai, we always have that 2004 memory at the back of our minds. Even small tremors like this make us check on the tsunami warning systems. Stay safe, everyone on the coast!
K
Karthik V
Magnitude 4.2 at that depth is nothing to worry about for India. But it's a good reminder of the constant geological activity. Nature is powerful.
S
Sarah B
The depth classification info from USGS was very useful. Puts things into perspective. 90km is intermediate, so the energy dissipates more before reaching the surface. Good to know.

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