M4.2 Earthquake 296 km WNW of Houma, Tonga — July 10, 2026
2026-07-10 10:43:23 UTC (4 hours ago) · approx. 10:43 PM UTC-12 local
On July 10, 2026 at 10:43 UTC, a magnitude 4.2 deep-focus earthquake struck 296 km WNW of Houma, Tonga, at a depth of 554.0 km and coordinates -20.0016°, -177.8568°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.2 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 30 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 476 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
-177.8568°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.2 earthquake near Houma, Tonga?
The magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck 296 km WNW of Houma, Tonga on July 10, 2026 at 10:43 UTC had a depth of 554.0 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 4.2 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.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.2 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000szfm). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, July 10, 2026). M4.2 Earthquake 296 km WNW of Houma, Tonga — July 10, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000szfm/