M4.2 Earthquake 287 km W of Houma, Tonga — October 3, 2024
2024-10-03 19:36:41 UTC (2024-10-03) · approx. 7:36 AM UTC-12 local
On October 3, 2024 at 19:36 UTC, a magnitude 4.2 deep-focus earthquake struck 287 km W of Houma, Tonga, at a depth of 481.2 km and coordinates -20.6964°, -178.0153°.
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
-178.0153°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.2 earthquake near Houma, Tonga?
The magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck 287 km W of Houma, Tonga on October 3, 2024 at 19:36 UTC had a depth of 481.2 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: us7000nmp0). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2024, October 3, 2024). M4.2 Earthquake 287 km W of Houma, Tonga — October 3, 2024. Retrieved December 14, 2024 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000nmp0/