4.8

M4.8 Earthquake in the Fiji regionMarch 5, 2026

2026-03-05 21:56:31 UTC (2026-03-05) · approx. 9:56 AM UTC-12 local

MagnitudeM4.8(mb)
Time21:56 UTC9:56 AM UTC-12
Depth607.8 kmdeep-focus
Coordinates-21.939°, -179.567°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On March 5, 2026 at 21:56 UTC, a magnitude 4.8 deep-focus earthquake struck in the Fiji region, at a depth of 607.8 km and coordinates -21.9391°, -179.5670°. This earthquake was detected by 57 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 354, placing it among routine seismic activity.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.8 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 239 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.2 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

Map showing earthquake epicenter at -21.94°, -179.57°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.8 mb
Depth
607.8 km
deep-focus
Location
-21.9391°N
-179.5670°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us7000s2db
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
354
Stations Used
57
Azimuthal Gap
123.0°
Min Station Distance
4.736°
RMS Residual
0.50 sec
Last Updated
2026-03-24 03:25:59 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.8 earthquake in the Fiji region?

The magnitude 4.8 earthquake that struck in the Fiji region on March 5, 2026 at 21:56 UTC had a depth of 607.8 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.

Where did the earthquake occur?

The earthquake epicenter was located at -21.9391°, -179.5670°, which is in the Fiji region. View all earthquakes in Fiji.

Were there aftershocks?

Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.8 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: us7000s2db). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, March 5, 2026). M4.8 Earthquake in the Fiji regionMarch 5, 2026. Retrieved May 7, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000s2db/