M5.3 Earthquake 168 km WSW of Houma, Tonga — March 8, 2026
2026-03-08 07:18:34 UTC (2026-03-08) · approx. 7:18 PM UTC-12 local
On March 8, 2026 at 07:18 UTC, a magnitude 5.3 intermediate depth earthquake struck 168 km WSW of Houma, Tonga, at a depth of 199.4 km and coordinates -21.9390°, -176.7039°. This earthquake was detected by 97 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 Tonga, a region characterized by the Tonga-Kermadec subduction zone, where the Pacific Plate descends at up to 240 mm per year — the fastest plate convergence on Earth. The nearest mapped fault system is the Tonga Trench. View all earthquakes in Tonga.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
-176.7039°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.3 earthquake near Houma, Tonga?
The magnitude 5.3 earthquake that struck 168 km WSW of Houma, Tonga on March 8, 2026 at 07:18 UTC had a depth of 199.4 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -21.9390°, -176.7039°, which is 168 km WSW of Houma, Tonga. View all earthquakes in Tonga.
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.
Has Tonga had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in Tonga was the M8.1 Tonga Trench earthquake of June 26, 1917. Today's magnitude 5.3 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
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: us7000s2y6). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, March 8, 2026). M5.3 Earthquake 168 km WSW of Houma, Tonga — March 8, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000s2y6/