4.3

M4.3 Earthquake 263 km WNW of Houma, TongaJuly 7, 2026

2026-07-07 06:08:35 UTC (1 hour ago) · approx. 6:08 PM UTC-12 local

MagnitudeM4.3(mb)
Time06:08 UTC6:08 PM UTC-12
Depth513.2 kmdeep-focus
Coordinates-20.505°, -177.728°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On July 7, 2026 at 06:08 UTC, a magnitude 4.3 deep-focus earthquake struck 263 km WNW of Houma, Tonga, at a depth of 513.2 km and coordinates -20.5045°, -177.7285°.

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.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at -20.50°, -177.73°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.3 mb
Depth
513.2 km
deep-focus
Location
-20.5045°N
-177.7285°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000tal5
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
284
Stations Used
69
Azimuthal Gap
68.0°
Min Station Distance
4.841°
RMS Residual
0.66 sec
Last Updated
2026-07-07 06:28:26 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.3 earthquake near Houma, Tonga?

The magnitude 4.3 earthquake that struck 263 km WNW of Houma, Tonga on July 7, 2026 at 06:08 UTC had a depth of 513.2 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.

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: us6000tal5). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, July 7, 2026). M4.3 Earthquake 263 km WNW of Houma, TongaJuly 7, 2026. Retrieved July 7, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000tal5/