4.8

M4.8 Earthquake in the Fiji regionSeptember 29, 2021

2021-09-29 07:23:40 UTC (2021-09-29) · approx. 7:23 PM UTC-12 local

MagnitudeM4.8(mb)
Time07:23 UTC7:23 PM UTC-12
Depth500.2 kmdeep-focus
Coordinates-18.342°, -177.736°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On September 29, 2021 at 07:23 UTC, a magnitude 4.8 deep-focus earthquake struck in the Fiji region, at a depth of 500.2 km and coordinates -18.3418°, -177.7359°.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.8 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 239 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.2 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

Map showing earthquake epicenter at -18.34°, -177.74°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.8 mb
Depth
500.2 km
deep-focus
Location
-18.3418°N
-177.7359°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000fq1r
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
354
Azimuthal Gap
40.0°
Min Station Distance
4.050°
RMS Residual
0.99 sec
Last Updated
2025-12-22 22:18:45 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.8 earthquake in the Fiji region?

The magnitude 4.8 earthquake that struck in the Fiji region on September 29, 2021 at 07:23 UTC had a depth of 500.2 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.

Where did the earthquake occur?

The earthquake epicenter was located at -18.3418°, -177.7359°, which is in the Fiji region. View all earthquakes in Fiji.

Were there aftershocks?

Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.8 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.

Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000fq1r). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2021, September 29, 2021). M4.8 Earthquake in the Fiji regionSeptember 29, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2025 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000fq1r/