M4.3 Earthquake 256 km WNW of Houma, Tonga — November 7, 2023
2023-11-07 19:35:12 UTC (2023-11-07) · approx. 7:35 AM UTC-12 local
On November 7, 2023 at 19:35 UTC, a magnitude 4.3 deep-focus earthquake struck 256 km WNW of Houma, Tonga, at a depth of 502.1 km and coordinates -20.6116°, -177.6923°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 43 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 558 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
-177.6923°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.3 earthquake near Houma, Tonga?
The magnitude 4.3 earthquake that struck 256 km WNW of Houma, Tonga on November 7, 2023 at 19:35 UTC had a depth of 502.1 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 4.3 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Actions
Location
Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.3 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000la4l). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2023, November 7, 2023). M4.3 Earthquake 256 km WNW of Houma, Tonga — November 7, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2024 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000la4l/