M4.0 Earthquake 164 km NW of Neiafu, Tonga — January 13, 2023
2023-01-13 16:32:34 UTC (2023-01-13) · approx. 4:32 AM UTC-12 local
On January 13, 2023 at 16:32 UTC, a magnitude 4.0 intermediate depth earthquake struck 164 km NW of Neiafu, Tonga, at a depth of 258.4 km and coordinates -17.6490°, -175.1360°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.0 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 15 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 347 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
-175.1360°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.0 earthquake near Neiafu, Tonga?
The magnitude 4.0 earthquake that struck 164 km NW of Neiafu, Tonga on January 13, 2023 at 16:32 UTC had a depth of 258.4 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 4.0 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Actions
Location
Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.0 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000j5uw). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2023, January 13, 2023). M4.0 Earthquake 164 km NW of Neiafu, Tonga — January 13, 2023. Retrieved March 20, 2023 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000j5uw/