M4.2 Earthquake 89 km WNW of Hihifo, Tonga — July 15, 2023
2023-07-15 18:46:00 UTC (2023-07-15) · approx. 6:46 AM UTC-12 local
On July 15, 2023 at 18:46 UTC, a magnitude 4.2 intermediate depth earthquake struck 89 km WNW of Hihifo, Tonga, at a depth of 137.8 km and coordinates -15.7584°, -174.6025°.
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
-174.6025°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.2 earthquake near Hihifo, Tonga?
The magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck 89 km WNW of Hihifo, Tonga on July 15, 2023 at 18:46 UTC had a depth of 137.8 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.
Actions
Location
Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.2 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000khf3). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2023, July 15, 2023). M4.2 Earthquake 89 km WNW of Hihifo, Tonga — July 15, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2023 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000khf3/