M4.4 Earthquake 87 km NE of Hihifo, Tonga — August 24, 2024
2024-08-24 18:11:29 UTC (2024-08-24) · approx. 6:11 AM UTC-12 local
On August 24, 2024 at 18:11 UTC, a magnitude 4.4 shallow crustal earthquake struck 87 km NE of Hihifo, Tonga, at a depth of 16.7 km and coordinates -15.3940°, -173.2175°.
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.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 5.1 mainshock that occurred 29 days ago 108 km NE of Hihifo, Tonga. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 1 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
Earthquake Details
-173.2175°E
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.4 earthquake near Hihifo, Tonga?
The magnitude 4.4 earthquake that struck 87 km NE of Hihifo, Tonga on August 24, 2024 at 18:11 UTC had a depth of 16.7 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.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.1 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.4 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.1 mainshock that occurred earlier 108 km NE of Hihifo, Tonga. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.4 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000ngbj). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2024, August 24, 2024). M4.4 Earthquake 87 km NE of Hihifo, Tonga — August 24, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000ngbj/