M4.5 Earthquake 254 km WNW of Houma, Tonga — May 3, 2024
2024-05-03 20:56:50 UTC (2024-05-03) · approx. 8:56 AM UTC-12 local
On May 3, 2024 at 20:56 UTC, a magnitude 4.5 deep-focus earthquake struck 254 km WNW of Houma, Tonga, at a depth of 523.4 km and coordinates -20.1002°, -177.4644°. This earthquake was detected by 41 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 312, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 85 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 767 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
The epicenter is located in Tonga, a region characterized by the Tonga-Kermadec subduction zone, where the Pacific Plate descends at up to 240 mm per year — the fastest plate convergence on Earth. The nearest mapped fault system is the Tonga Trench. View all earthquakes in Tonga.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
-177.4644°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.5 earthquake near Houma, Tonga?
The magnitude 4.5 earthquake that struck 254 km WNW of Houma, Tonga on May 3, 2024 at 20:56 UTC had a depth of 523.4 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -20.1002°, -177.4644°, which is 254 km WNW of Houma, Tonga. View all earthquakes in Tonga.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.5 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Has Tonga had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in Tonga was the M8.1 Tonga Trench earthquake of June 26, 1917. Today's magnitude 4.5 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
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Location
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000mxid). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2024, May 3, 2024). M4.5 Earthquake 254 km WNW of Houma, Tonga — May 3, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2024 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000mxid/