M4.3 Earthquake 128 km SW of Hihifo, Tonga — September 20, 2026
2026-09-20 17:17:06 UTC (2026-09-20) · approx. 5:17 AM UTC-12 local
On September 20, 2026 at 17:17 UTC, a magnitude 4.3 intermediate depth earthquake struck 128 km SW of Hihifo, Tonga, at a depth of 168.2 km and coordinates -16.7758°, -174.6407°.
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.
Earthquake Details
-174.6407°E
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.3 earthquake near Hihifo, Tonga?
The magnitude 4.3 earthquake that struck 128 km SW of Hihifo, Tonga on September 20, 2026 at 17:17 UTC had a depth of 168.2 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.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.3 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000tisg). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, September 20, 2026). M4.3 Earthquake 128 km SW of Hihifo, Tonga — September 20, 2026. Retrieved September 26, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000tisg/