4.4

M4.4 Earthquake 86 km ESE of Hihifo, TongaFebruary 25, 2026

2026-02-25 19:47:53 UTC (2026-02-25) · approx. 7:47 AM UTC-12 local

MagnitudeM4.4(mb)
Time19:47 UTC7:47 AM UTC-12
Depth10.0 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates-16.271°, -173.061°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On February 25, 2026 at 19:47 UTC, a magnitude 4.4 shallow crustal earthquake struck 86 km ESE of Hihifo, Tonga, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates -16.2708°, -173.0608°.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.4 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 60 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 655 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at -16.27°, -173.06°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.4 mb
Depth
10.0 km
shallow crustal
Location
-16.2708°N
-173.0608°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us7000s3g9
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
298
Stations Used
17
Azimuthal Gap
73.0°
Min Station Distance
3.139°
RMS Residual
0.97 sec
Last Updated
2026-05-12 17:28:19 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.4 earthquake near Hihifo, Tonga?

The magnitude 4.4 earthquake that struck 86 km ESE of Hihifo, Tonga on February 25, 2026 at 19:47 UTC had a depth of 10.0 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 4.4 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: us7000s3g9). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, February 25, 2026). M4.4 Earthquake 86 km ESE of Hihifo, TongaFebruary 25, 2026. Retrieved May 13, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000s3g9/