M4.4 Earthquake 137 km N of Neiafu, Tonga — November 15, 2021
2021-11-15 17:23:38 UTC (2021-11-15) · approx. 5:23 AM UTC-12 local
On November 15, 2021 at 17:23 UTC, a magnitude 4.4 intermediate depth earthquake struck 137 km N of Neiafu, Tonga, at a depth of 76.3 km and coordinates -17.4099°, -173.9476°.
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
-173.9476°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.4 earthquake near Neiafu, Tonga?
The magnitude 4.4 earthquake that struck 137 km N of Neiafu, Tonga on November 15, 2021 at 17:23 UTC had a depth of 76.3 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.
Actions
Location
Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.4 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000fvhc). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2021, November 15, 2021). M4.4 Earthquake 137 km N of Neiafu, Tonga — November 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000fvhc/