M4.4 Earthquake 151 km NNW of Neiafu, Tonga — January 18, 2023
2023-01-18 19:08:56 UTC (2023-01-18) · approx. 7:08 AM UTC-12 local
On January 18, 2023 at 19:08 UTC, a magnitude 4.4 intermediate depth earthquake struck 151 km NNW of Neiafu, Tonga, at a depth of 226.7 km and coordinates -17.4606°, -174.6928°.
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
-174.6928°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 151 km NNW of Neiafu, Tonga on January 18, 2023 at 19:08 UTC had a depth of 226.7 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: us7000j5ba). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2023, January 18, 2023). M4.4 Earthquake 151 km NNW of Neiafu, Tonga — January 18, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000j5ba/