M5.3 Earthquake 284 km WNW of Lautoka, Fiji — April 8, 2023
2023-04-08 16:27:32 UTC (2023-04-08) · approx. 4:27 AM UTC+12 local
On April 8, 2023 at 16:27 UTC, a magnitude 5.3 shallow crustal earthquake struck 284 km WNW of Lautoka, Fiji, at a depth of 14.8 km and coordinates -16.5746°, 175.0025°. This earthquake was detected by 42 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 432, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.3 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 1 kilotons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.7 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
175.0025°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.3 earthquake near Lautoka, Fiji?
The magnitude 5.3 earthquake that struck 284 km WNW of Lautoka, Fiji on April 8, 2023 at 16:27 UTC had a depth of 14.8 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -16.5746°, 175.0025°, which is 284 km WNW of Lautoka, Fiji. View all earthquakes in Fiji.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.3 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks and gradually diminish over time.
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Location
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000k2vx). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2023, April 8, 2023). M5.3 Earthquake 284 km WNW of Lautoka, Fiji — April 8, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2023 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000k2vx/