M5.0 Earthquake 233 km E of Levuka, Fiji — July 28, 2023
2023-07-28 17:38:01 UTC (2023-07-28) · approx. 5:38 AM UTC-12 local
On July 28, 2023 at 17:38 UTC, a magnitude 5.0 deep-focus earthquake struck 233 km E of Levuka, Fiji, at a depth of 598.8 km and coordinates -17.9647°, -178.4785°. This earthquake was detected by 204 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 385, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.0 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 477 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.7 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
-178.4785°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.0 earthquake near Levuka, Fiji?
The magnitude 5.0 earthquake that struck 233 km E of Levuka, Fiji on July 28, 2023 at 17:38 UTC had a depth of 598.8 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -17.9647°, -178.4785°, which is 233 km E of Levuka, Fiji. View all earthquakes in Fiji.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.0 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks and gradually diminish over time.
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Location
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000kw9k). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2023, July 28, 2023). M5.0 Earthquake 233 km E of Levuka, Fiji — July 28, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000kw9k/