NTT M7.7 Earthquake Among World's Largest in 2026, Here's the Ranking
The magnitude 7.7 earthquake that shook Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) on Saturday (15/8/2026) has become one of the largest earthquakes to occur worldwide this year. According to United States Geological Survey (USGS) data, its strength is second only to the M7.8 earthquake that struck the Philippines in June.
BMKG reported that the earthquake occurred at 05.58 WITA with an epicentre approximately 30 kilometres northeast of Mbay, Nagekeo Regency, at a depth of 15 kilometres. Tremors were felt widely across NTT, NTB and parts of South Sulawesi.
Preliminary BNPB data as of Saturday evening recorded 47 fatalities and around 2,000 residents displaced in Nagekeo Regency. BMKG also recorded 37 aftershocks ranging from M3.7 to M6.2. Damage so far includes 157 severely damaged houses, 41 moderately damaged and 148 lightly damaged, as well as dozens of schools, health facilities, government offices, ports and airport terminals. BMKG issued a tsunami early warning after sea level rises of around 0.14 to nearly 1 metre were observed in several coastal areas before it was eventually lifted.
The NTT earthquake adds to the list of large-magnitude earthquakes that have occurred throughout 2026. Here are the 11 largest earthquakes in the world this year by magnitude.
- Philippines M7.8
The largest earthquake this year struck Mindanao Island on 8 June 2026. The epicentre was about 25 kilometres southwest of Kablalan at a depth of 57 kilometres. The tremors damaged homes, schools, hospitals, roads and power networks. Tsunami warnings were issued in the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia before being lifted. Dozens of people died and thousands of buildings were damaged.
- Nusa Tenggara Timur M7.7
The NTT earthquake is the second-largest of 2026. The provisional death toll stands at 47, with around 2,000 residents displaced. Hundreds of homes were damaged, dozens of public facilities were affected, and transport activity at several ports and airports was disrupted. BMKG stated that the earthquake was triggered by active fault activity north of Flores Island.
- Venezuela M7.5
The earthquake occurred on 24 June 2026, just 39 seconds after a M7.2 earthquake, and is therefore categorised as a doublet earthquake. The tremors damaged Caracas, La Guaira and several other cities. Thousands of fatalities were reported due to collapsing buildings and infrastructure. USGS said the earthquake was triggered by a strike-slip mechanism at the boundary of the Caribbean and South American plates.
- Tonga M7.5
The earthquake struck the waters of Tonga in March 2026 at a depth of about 234 kilometres. The great depth meant the surface impact was relatively small. A tsunami warning was issued before being lifted, and there were no reports of casualties or major damage.
- Colombia M7.4
The earthquake struck Chocó Department on 10 August 2026 and was the strongest in Colombia in more than three decades. At least 254 people died and more than 100 aftershocks were recorded. The earthquake was triggered by activity in the subduction zone of the Nazca and South American plates.
- Japan M7.4
The earthquake occurred off the northeast coast of Japan in April 2026. Authorities issued a tsunami warning and evacuated more than 176,000 coastal residents. High-speed rail services were temporarily suspended, but there were no reports of major damage or disruption to nuclear facilities.
- Bitung, Indonesia M7.4
The earthquake in the Maluku Sea on 2 April 2026 triggered a small tsunami with a maximum height of about 0.75 metres. Tremors were felt in North Sulawesi and North Maluku. At least one person died and hundreds of buildings were damaged. BMKG said the earthquake was triggered by rock deformation in the Maluku Sea region.
- Mexico M7.3
The earthquake struck the coast of Chiapas in July 2026 and was felt as far as Guatemala and El Salvador. A tsunami warning was issued, but there were no reports of large numbers of casualties. Several aftershocks of M5 to M6 were recorded after the main earthquake.
- Vanuatu M7.3
The earthquake occurred near Luganville in March 2026 at a depth of more than 120 kilometres. USGS stated that the earthquake was triggered by an oblique thrust faulting mechanism. There were no reports of casualties or significant damage.
- Venezuela (San Felipe) M7.2
This earthquake was the initial shock before being followed by the M7.5 earthquake just 39 seconds later. Many buildings that had already cracked from the first earthquake collapsed during the second, amplifying the disaster’s impact.
- Malaysia M7.1
The earthquake occurred beneath Sabah in February 2026 at a depth of about 629 kilometres. Despite its large magnitude, the very deep epicentre meant surface shaking was relatively weak. There were no reports of casualties or tsunami threats.
Indonesia is one of the most tectonically active regions in the world because it lies at the meeting point of several major global plates. Subduction activity and the presence of many active faults mean that large-magnitude earthquakes remain a potential threat, including in the Flores region, which was the source of the M7.7 earthquake in NTT.