M4.4 Earthquake 78 km ESE of Hihifo, Tonga — May 9, 2024
2024-05-09 17:28:55 UTC (2024-05-09) · approx. 5:28 AM UTC-12 local
On May 9, 2024 at 17:28 UTC, a magnitude 4.4 shallow crustal earthquake struck 78 km ESE of Hihifo, Tonga, at a depth of 19.6 km and coordinates -16.1108°, -173.0843°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.4 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 60 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 655 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
-173.0843°E
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.4 earthquake near Hihifo, Tonga?
The magnitude 4.4 earthquake that struck 78 km ESE of Hihifo, Tonga on May 9, 2024 at 17:28 UTC had a depth of 19.6 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.4 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.4 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000myzb). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2024, May 9, 2024). M4.4 Earthquake 78 km ESE of Hihifo, Tonga — May 9, 2024. Retrieved July 20, 2024 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000myzb/