M4.9 Earthquake in the Fiji region — December 26, 2021
2021-12-26 23:45:20 UTC (2021-12-26) · approx. 11:45 AM UTC-12 local
On December 26, 2021 at 23:45 UTC, a magnitude 4.9 deep-focus earthquake struck in the Fiji region, at a depth of 585.0 km and coordinates -21.7826°, -179.3898°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.9 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 338 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.4 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
-179.3898°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.9 earthquake in the Fiji region?
The magnitude 4.9 earthquake that struck in the Fiji region on December 26, 2021 at 23:45 UTC had a depth of 585.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -21.7826°, -179.3898°, 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 4.9 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
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Location
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000gfix). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2021, December 26, 2021). M4.9 Earthquake in the Fiji region — December 26, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2025 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000gfix/