4.3

M4.3 Earthquake 169 km NW of Neiafu, TongaDecember 24, 2025

2025-12-24 21:47:06 UTC (2025-12-24) · approx. 9:47 AM UTC-12 local

MagnitudeM4.3(mb)
Time21:47 UTC9:47 AM UTC-12
Depth272.9 kmintermediate depth
Coordinates-17.637°, -175.189°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On December 24, 2025 at 21:47 UTC, a magnitude 4.3 intermediate depth earthquake struck 169 km NW of Neiafu, Tonga, at a depth of 272.9 km and coordinates -17.6371°, -175.1886°.

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.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at -17.64°, -175.19°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.3 mb
Depth
272.9 km
intermediate depth
Location
-17.6371°N
-175.1886°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us7000rq4l
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
284
Stations Used
36
Azimuthal Gap
73.0°
Min Station Distance
4.949°
RMS Residual
0.49 sec
Last Updated
2026-04-01 22:48:54 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.3 earthquake near Neiafu, Tonga?

The magnitude 4.3 earthquake that struck 169 km NW of Neiafu, Tonga on December 24, 2025 at 21:47 UTC had a depth of 272.9 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.

What should I do after an earthquake?

If you were in the affected area: check yourself and others for injuries, inspect your home for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. For detailed guidance, see our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.

Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000rq4l). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, December 24, 2025). M4.3 Earthquake 169 km NW of Neiafu, TongaDecember 24, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000rq4l/