M5.3 Earthquake 220 km WNW of Lautoka, Fiji — July 3, 2025
2025-07-03 00:12:51 UTC (2025-07-03) · approx. 12:12 PM UTC+12 local
On July 3, 2025 at 00:12 UTC, a magnitude 5.3 shallow crustal earthquake struck 220 km WNW of Lautoka, Fiji, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates -16.5707°, 175.6912°. This earthquake was detected by 148 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 432, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.3 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 1 kilotons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.7 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
The epicenter is located in Fiji, a region characterized by the Fiji Fracture Zone at the junction of the Pacific and Australian plates, with deep-focus seismicity from the subducted slab. View all earthquakes in Fiji.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
175.6912°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.3 earthquake near Lautoka, Fiji?
The magnitude 5.3 earthquake that struck 220 km WNW of Lautoka, Fiji on July 3, 2025 at 00:12 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -16.5707°, 175.6912°, which is 220 km WNW of Lautoka, Fiji. View all earthquakes in Fiji.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.3 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks and gradually diminish over time.
Actions
Location
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000qaby). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, July 3, 2025). M5.3 Earthquake 220 km WNW of Lautoka, Fiji — July 3, 2025. Retrieved September 12, 2025 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000qaby/