M4.7 Earthquake 114 km NW of Lautoka, Fiji — December 19, 2020
2020-12-19 17:34:43 UTC (2020-12-19) · approx. 5:34 AM UTC+12 local
On December 19, 2020 at 17:34 UTC, a magnitude 4.7 shallow crustal earthquake struck 114 km NW of Lautoka, Fiji, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates -16.9056°, 176.6719°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.7 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 169 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.1 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
The epicenter is located in Fiji, a region characterized by the Fiji Fracture Zone at the junction of the Pacific and Australian plates, with deep-focus seismicity from the subducted slab. View all earthquakes in Fiji.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
176.6719°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.7 earthquake near Lautoka, Fiji?
The magnitude 4.7 earthquake that struck 114 km NW of Lautoka, Fiji on December 19, 2020 at 17:34 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -16.9056°, 176.6719°, which is 114 km NW of Lautoka, Fiji. View all earthquakes in Fiji.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.7 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Actions
Location
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000d272). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2020, December 19, 2020). M4.7 Earthquake 114 km NW of Lautoka, Fiji — December 19, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2025 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000d272/