4.2

M4.2 Earthquake 295 km WNW of Houma, TongaNovember 28, 2025

2025-11-28 18:26:52 UTC (2025-11-28) · approx. 6:26 AM UTC-12 local

MagnitudeM4.2(mb)
Time18:26 UTC6:26 AM UTC-12
Depth522.1 kmdeep-focus
Coordinates-20.669°, -178.089°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On November 28, 2025 at 18:26 UTC, a magnitude 4.2 deep-focus earthquake struck 295 km WNW of Houma, Tonga, at a depth of 522.1 km and coordinates -20.6685°, -178.0890°.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.2 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 30 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 476 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at -20.67°, -178.09°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.2 mb
Depth
522.1 km
deep-focus
Location
-20.6685°N
-178.0890°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000rvap
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
271
Stations Used
59
Azimuthal Gap
100.0°
Min Station Distance
4.663°
RMS Residual
0.80 sec
Last Updated
2026-02-25 16:18:37 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.2 earthquake near Houma, Tonga?

The magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck 295 km WNW of Houma, Tonga on November 28, 2025 at 18:26 UTC had a depth of 522.1 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 4.2 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.

What should I do after an earthquake?

If you were in the affected area: check yourself and others for injuries, inspect your home for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. For detailed guidance, see our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.

Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000rvap). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, November 28, 2025). M4.2 Earthquake 295 km WNW of Houma, TongaNovember 28, 2025. Retrieved May 24, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000rvap/