M4.3 Earthquake 98 km N of Hihifo, Tonga — December 13, 2024
2024-12-13 20:03:47 UTC (2024-12-13) · approx. 8:03 AM UTC-12 local
On December 13, 2024 at 20:03 UTC, a magnitude 4.3 shallow crustal earthquake struck 98 km N of Hihifo, Tonga, at a depth of 46.1 km and coordinates -15.0699°, -173.8549°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 43 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 558 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
-173.8549°E
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.3 earthquake near Hihifo, Tonga?
The magnitude 4.3 earthquake that struck 98 km N of Hihifo, Tonga on December 13, 2024 at 20:03 UTC had a depth of 46.1 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 4.3 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.3 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000ph5z). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2024, December 13, 2024). M4.3 Earthquake 98 km N of Hihifo, Tonga — December 13, 2024. Retrieved February 18, 2025 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000ph5z/