5.1

M5.1 Earthquake 281 km E of Levuka, FijiMay 7, 2026

2026-05-07 11:48:41 UTC (1 day ago) · approx. 11:48 PM UTC-12 local

MagnitudeM5.1(mb)
Time11:48 UTC11:48 PM UTC-12
Depth586.7 kmdeep-focus
Coordinates-17.961°, -178.028°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On May 7, 2026 at 11:48 UTC, a magnitude 5.1 deep-focus earthquake struck 281 km E of Levuka, Fiji, at a depth of 586.7 km and coordinates -17.9613°, -178.0277°. This earthquake was detected by 60 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 400, placing it among routine seismic activity.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 674 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.0 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

Map showing earthquake epicenter at -17.96°, -178.03°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
5.1 mb
Depth
586.7 km
deep-focus
Location
-17.9613°N
-178.0277°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000svwn
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
400
Stations Used
60
Azimuthal Gap
94.0°
Min Station Distance
3.634°
RMS Residual
1.08 sec
Last Updated
2026-05-07 12:03:09 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 5.1 earthquake near Levuka, Fiji?

The magnitude 5.1 earthquake that struck 281 km E of Levuka, Fiji on May 7, 2026 at 11:48 UTC had a depth of 586.7 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.

Where did the earthquake occur?

The earthquake epicenter was located at -17.9613°, -178.0277°, which is 281 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 5.1 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks 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: us6000svwn). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 7, 2026). M5.1 Earthquake 281 km E of Levuka, FijiMay 7, 2026. Retrieved May 8, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000svwn/