Over the past 30 days, Samoa has recorded 9 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater in our tracker. 9 landed between M4.0 and M4.9. By depth: 6 shallow (<70 km), 3 intermediate (70–300 km). 3 of the epicenters were offshore. Focal depths ranged from 10.0 km to 293.1 km. All 9 solutions have been reviewed by a USGS seismologist.
Leading the list is a magnitude 4.9 event near 139 km SSW of Gataivai, Samoa at 10.0 km depth. The second-ranked event, at magnitude 4.6 near 128 km NNE of Hihifo, Tonga, trails by 0.3 magnitude units — a narrow gap, indicating two comparably energetic events in the current window. Rounding out the top three is a magnitude 4.6 earthquake near 138 km WNW of Hihifo, Tonga.
Each row in the table below includes a narrative summary of the event, ordered by time. Use the column headers to sort or filter by magnitude.
| Time ↓ | Mag ↕ | Location ↕ | Depth ↕ | Felt ↕ | MMI | Alert | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2026-05-27 2026-05-27 23:29:34 UTC | 4.2mb | 28 km ENE of Hihifo, Tonga -15.866°, -173.548° | 52.4 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
This magnitude 4.2 event was detected 28 km ENE of Hihifo, Tonga on May 27, 2026, with origin time 23:29 UTC. The event originated approximately 52.4 km below the surface, classifying it as shallow crustal. The epicenter is at -15.866°, -173.548°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-25 2026-05-25 23:36:18 UTC | 4.6mb | 128 km NNE of Hihifo, Tonga -14.938°, -173.210° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 4.6 earthquake was recorded 128 km NNE of Hihifo, Tonga on May 25, 2026 at 23:36 UTC. At just 10.0 km, it was the shallowest earthquake in the current dataset — a shallow crustal event. It ranks as the second largest event in the current dataset. Geolocation places the event at -14.938°N, -173.210°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.6 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-23 2026-05-23 23:54:27 UTC | 4.9mb | 139 km SSW of Gataivai, Samoa -14.885°, -172.998° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On May 23, 2026 at 23:54 UTC, a magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck 139 km SSW of Gataivai, Samoa. It is the largest earthquake currently listed for Samoa over the past 30 days. At just 10.0 km, it was the shallowest earthquake in the current dataset — a shallow crustal event. The epicenter is at -14.885°, -172.998°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.9 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-21 2026-05-21 05:26:34 UTC | 4.4mb | 128 km WNW of Hihifo, Tonga -15.478°, -174.893° | 267.7 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 4.4 earthquake 128 km WNW of Hihifo, Tonga at 05:26 UTC on May 21, 2026. At a depth of 267.7 km, the event was intermediate depth. Coordinates: -15.478°, -174.893°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-18 2026-05-18 04:19:45 UTC | 4.1mb | 58 km SW of Hihifo, Tonga -16.331°, -174.182° | 70.8 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 4.1 seismic event took place 58 km SW of Hihifo, Tonga on May 18, 2026 at 04:19 UTC. The hypocenter lay at 70.8 km, placing this in the intermediate depth category. The offshore location combined with this depth is characteristic of seismicity along descending slabs. Coordinates: -16.331°, -174.182°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-16 2026-05-16 20:08:54 UTC | 4.2mb | 85 km NNE of Hihifo, Tonga -15.210°, -173.597° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 4.2 earthquake 85 km NNE of Hihifo, Tonga came in on May 16, 2026 at 20:08 UTC. At just 10.0 km, it was the shallowest earthquake in the current dataset — a shallow crustal event. Geolocation places the event at -15.210°N, -173.597°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-16 2026-05-16 06:29:08 UTC | 4.6mb | 138 km WNW of Hihifo, Tonga -15.585°, -175.034° | 293.1 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 4.6 earthquake 138 km WNW of Hihifo, Tonga with origin time 06:29 UTC on May 16, 2026. At 293.1 km, this is the deepest earthquake in the current dataset — firmly in the intermediate depth category. It ranks as the third largest event in the current dataset. Coordinates: -15.585°, -175.034°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.6 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-13 2026-05-13 12:50:34 UTC | 4.6mb | 76 km NE of Hihifo, Tonga -15.432°, -173.330° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On May 13, 2026, Samoa registered a magnitude 4.6 earthquake 76 km NE of Hihifo, Tonga at 12:50 UTC. At just 10.0 km, it was the shallowest earthquake in the current dataset — a shallow crustal event. It ranks as the fourth largest event in the current dataset. The event was offshore — common for earthquakes along subduction zones and transform plate boundaries. The epicenter is at -15.432°, -173.330°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.6 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-13 2026-05-13 09:20:44 UTC | 4.5mb | 96 km N of Hihifo, Tonga -15.085°, -173.680° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 09:20 UTC on May 13, 2026, a magnitude 4.5 tremor occurred 96 km N of Hihifo, Tonga. At just 10.0 km, it was the shallowest earthquake in the current dataset — a shallow crustal event. It ranks as the fifth largest event in the current dataset. The event was offshore — common for earthquakes along subduction zones and transform plate boundaries. Geolocation places the event at -15.085°N, -173.680°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
139 km SSW of Gataivai, Samoa
2026-05-23
140 km ENE of Hihifo, Tonga
2026-03-22
Data from USGS Earthquake Hazards Program. Updated every 5 minutes.
Samoa lies near the northern end of the Tonga Trench subduction zone. The 2009 earthquake and tsunami caused significant casualties.
In 2026, Samoa has recorded 111 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater so far. The largest earthquake in Samoa in 2026 was a magnitude 6.3 event near Hihifo, Tonga. As of today, seismic monitoring continues with 0 earthquakes detected in the past 24 hours and 9 in the last 30 days.
Samoa lies near the northern end of the Tonga Trench subduction zone. The 2009 earthquake and tsunami caused significant casualties.
Over the past 30 days, there have been 9 recorded earthquakes in this region. The largest recent earthquake was a magnitude 4.9 event near 139 km SSW of Gataivai, Samoa.
In the past 30 days, 9 earthquakes have been recorded in the Samoa region. The number varies based on seismic activity in the area.
The largest recent earthquake in the Samoa area was a magnitude 4.9 event that occurred 139 km SSW of Gataivai, Samoa.
Residents should secure heavy furniture, create an emergency kit with supplies for 72 hours, develop a family communication plan, and practice "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" during earthquake drills. Visit our preparedness section for detailed guides.
Tonga sits above one of the fastest subduction zones on Earth where the Pacific ...
Peru lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire where the Nazca Plate subducts beneath ...
Ecuador's location along the Nazca-South American plate boundary results in freq...
Mexico sits above several converging tectonic plates, resulting in frequent seis...