M4.2 Earthquake 159 km W of Neiafu, Tonga — September 16, 2022
2022-09-16 19:59:11 UTC (2022-09-16) · approx. 7:59 AM UTC-12 local
On September 16, 2022 at 19:59 UTC, a magnitude 4.2 intermediate depth earthquake struck 159 km W of Neiafu, Tonga, at a depth of 205.2 km and coordinates -18.6713°, -175.4948°.
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.
Earthquake Details
-175.4948°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.2 earthquake near Neiafu, Tonga?
The magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck 159 km W of Neiafu, Tonga on September 16, 2022 at 19:59 UTC had a depth of 205.2 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 4.2 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.2 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000ia85). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2022, September 16, 2022). M4.2 Earthquake 159 km W of Neiafu, Tonga — September 16, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000ia85/