Over the past 30 days, Tonga has recorded 28 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater in our tracker. 5 reached magnitude 5.0 or higher. 23 landed between M4.0 and M4.9. By depth: 4 shallow (<70 km), 15 intermediate (70–300 km), 9 deep-focus (>300 km). 11 of the epicenters were offshore. 1 event produced at least one felt report, totalling 1 citizen submissions to the USGS Did You Feel It? system. Focal depths ranged from 10.0 km to 608.5 km. All 28 solutions have been reviewed by a USGS seismologist.
Leading the list is a magnitude 5.7 event near 275 km SW of Houma, Tonga at 154.0 km depth and triggered a green PAGER alert. The second-ranked event, at magnitude 5.2 near Fiji region, trails by 0.5 magnitude units — a meaningful gap that makes the leader clearly dominant in energy release. Rounding out the top three is a magnitude 5.2 earthquake near 121 km WNW of Houma, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8 hours ago 2026-05-20 13:51:40 UTC | 4.5mb | Fiji region -20.803°, -178.600° | 590.3 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 4.5 earthquake in the Fiji region with origin time 13:51 UTC on May 20, 2026. At 590.3 km, this deep-focus earthquake originated far below the brittle crust, deep inside the mantle. The epicenter is at -20.803°, -178.600°. 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. | ||||||||
3 days ago 2026-05-17 13:16:28 UTC | 4.5mb | 193 km W of Neiafu, Tonga -18.497°, -175.807° | 286.1 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On May 17, 2026, Tonga registered a magnitude 4.5 earthquake 193 km W of Neiafu, Tonga at 13:16 UTC. At a depth of 286.1 km, the event was intermediate depth. The offshore location combined with this depth is characteristic of seismicity along descending slabs. Geolocation places the event at -18.497°N, -175.807°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. | ||||||||
3 days ago 2026-05-17 00:13:49 UTC | 4.4mb | 169 km W of Neiafu, Tonga -18.466°, -175.582° | 186.5 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 4.4 earthquake 169 km W of Neiafu, Tonga at 00:13 UTC on May 17, 2026. This was a intermediate depth earthquake, focused at 186.5 km depth. The offshore location combined with this depth is characteristic of seismicity along descending slabs. The epicenter is at -18.466°, -175.582°. 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. | ||||||||
4 days ago 2026-05-16 15:47:21 UTC | 4.7mb | 145 km WNW of Neiafu, Tonga -18.310°, -175.319° | 210.8 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
May 16, 2026 brought a magnitude 4.7 earthquake 145 km WNW of Neiafu, Tonga, logged at 15:47 UTC. At a depth of 210.8 km, the event was intermediate depth. The epicenter is at -18.310°, -175.319°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.7 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
5 days ago 2026-05-14 23:46:01 UTC | 4.3mb | Fiji region -20.221°, -178.527° | 608.5 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 4.3 seismic event took place in the Fiji region on May 14, 2026 at 23:46 UTC. At 608.5 km, this is the deepest earthquake in the current dataset — firmly in the deep-focus category. The epicenter is at -20.221°, -178.527°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-12 2026-05-12 21:53:44 UTC | 5.1mb | 55 km ENE of ‘Ohonua, Tonga -21.149°, -174.465° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On May 12, 2026, Tonga registered a magnitude 5.1 earthquake 55 km ENE of ‘Ohonua, Tonga at 21:53 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 epicenter is at -21.149°, -174.465°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M5.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-12 2026-05-12 21:19:36 UTC | 5.7mww | 275 km SW of Houma, Tonga -23.204°, -176.849° | 154.0 km | - | II | green | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On May 12, 2026 at 21:19 UTC, a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck 275 km SW of Houma, Tonga. The USGS PAGER system assigned a green alert level for this event, signalling no significant casualties or damage expected. It is the largest earthquake currently listed for Tonga over the past 30 days. Maximum shaking intensity peaked at MMI 2.5 (weak). The hypocenter lay at 154.0 km, placing this in the intermediate depth category. The offshore location combined with this depth is characteristic of seismicity along descending slabs. The epicenter is at -23.204°, -176.849°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M5.7 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-07 2026-05-07 01:06:57 UTC | 4.5mb | 151 km W of Neiafu, Tonga -18.772°, -175.419° | 217.6 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 01:06 UTC on May 7, 2026, a magnitude 4.5 tremor occurred 151 km W of Neiafu, Tonga. The event originated approximately 217.6 km below the surface, classifying it as intermediate depth. The offshore location combined with this depth is characteristic of seismicity along descending slabs. Coordinates: -18.772°, -175.419°. 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. | ||||||||
2026-05-04 2026-05-04 03:58:51 UTC | 4.3mb | 148 km W of Neiafu, Tonga -18.817°, -175.383° | 207.9 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
May 4, 2026 brought a magnitude 4.3 earthquake 148 km W of Neiafu, Tonga, logged at 03:58 UTC. This was a intermediate depth earthquake, focused at 207.9 km depth. The offshore location combined with this depth is characteristic of seismicity along descending slabs. Geolocation places the event at -18.817°N, -175.383°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-03 2026-05-03 16:36:11 UTC | 4.6mb | 173 km W of Neiafu, Tonga -18.570°, -175.628° | 265.2 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On May 3, 2026 at 16:36 UTC, a magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck 173 km W of Neiafu, Tonga. The event originated approximately 265.2 km below the surface, classifying it as intermediate depth. The offshore location combined with this depth is characteristic of seismicity along descending slabs. Geolocation places the event at -18.570°N, -175.628°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. | ||||||||
2026-05-03 2026-05-03 11:01:23 UTC | 4.3mb | Fiji region -21.217°, -178.252° | 477.5 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On May 3, 2026 at 11:01 UTC, a magnitude 4.3 earthquake struck in the Fiji region. At 477.5 km, this deep-focus earthquake originated far below the brittle crust, deep inside the mantle. Coordinates: -21.217°, -178.252°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-02 2026-05-02 11:30:50 UTC | 4.8mb | 163 km WNW of Neiafu, Tonga -18.361°, -175.499° | 252.8 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
This magnitude 4.8 event was detected 163 km WNW of Neiafu, Tonga on May 2, 2026, with origin time 11:30 UTC. A small number of nearby observers (1) submitted felt reports to the USGS. The event originated approximately 252.8 km below the surface, classifying it as intermediate depth. The epicenter is at -18.361°, -175.499°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.8 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-04-30 2026-04-30 18:48:56 UTC | 4.4mb | south of the Fiji Islands -23.793°, -176.228° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
This magnitude 4.4 event was detected south of the Fiji Islands on April 30, 2026, with origin time 18:48 UTC. At just 10.0 km, it was the shallowest earthquake in the current dataset — a shallow crustal event. Geolocation places the event at -23.793°N, -176.228°E. 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. | ||||||||
2026-04-30 2026-04-30 09:07:09 UTC | 5.0mb | 135 km WNW of Neiafu, Tonga -18.252°, -175.197° | 248.7 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 09:07 UTC on April 30, 2026, a magnitude 5.0 tremor occurred 135 km WNW of Neiafu, Tonga. It ranks as the fifth largest event in the current dataset. The hypocenter lay at 248.7 km, placing this in the intermediate depth category. Geolocation places the event at -18.252°N, -175.197°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M5.0 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-04-29 2026-04-29 13:08:05 UTC | 4.1mb | 162 km W of Neiafu, Tonga -18.472°, -175.515° | 205.2 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
This magnitude 4.1 event was detected 162 km W of Neiafu, Tonga on April 29, 2026, with origin time 13:08 UTC. Coming 18 hours after a magnitude 4.6 earthquake in the immediate vicinity, it is most likely an aftershock of that larger rupture. The event originated approximately 205.2 km below the surface, classifying it as intermediate depth. The offshore location combined with this depth is characteristic of seismicity along descending slabs. Coordinates: -18.472°, -175.515°. 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. | ||||||||
2026-04-29 2026-04-29 02:31:14 UTC | 4.8mb | 118 km NW of Neiafu, Tonga -18.033°, -174.898° | 190.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 4.8 earthquake 118 km NW of Neiafu, Tonga came in on April 29, 2026 at 02:31 UTC. This was a intermediate depth earthquake, focused at 190.0 km depth. The offshore location combined with this depth is characteristic of seismicity along descending slabs. Geolocation places the event at -18.033°N, -174.898°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.8 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-04-28 2026-04-28 23:03:16 UTC | 4.2mb | Fiji region -18.757°, -177.693° | 390.8 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On April 28, 2026, Tonga registered a magnitude 4.2 earthquake in the Fiji region at 23:03 UTC. Coming 8 hours after a magnitude 5.2 earthquake in the immediate vicinity, it is most likely an aftershock of that larger rupture. At 390.8 km, this deep-focus earthquake originated far below the brittle crust, deep inside the mantle. Coordinates: -18.757°, -177.693°. 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. | ||||||||
2026-04-28 2026-04-28 19:13:13 UTC | 4.6mb | 152 km W of Neiafu, Tonga -18.510°, -175.419° | 220.6 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 4.6 earthquake was recorded 152 km W of Neiafu, Tonga on April 28, 2026 at 19:13 UTC. This was a intermediate depth earthquake, focused at 220.6 km depth. The offshore location combined with this depth is characteristic of seismicity along descending slabs. Coordinates: -18.510°, -175.419°. 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. | ||||||||
2026-04-28 2026-04-28 16:18:24 UTC | 4.9mww | 200 km S of ‘Ohonua, Tonga -23.128°, -175.273° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 4.9 earthquake 200 km S of ‘Ohonua, Tonga at 16:18 UTC on April 28, 2026. At just 10.0 km, it was the shallowest earthquake in the current dataset — a shallow crustal event. The event was offshore — common for earthquakes along subduction zones and transform plate boundaries. Coordinates: -23.128°, -175.273°. 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. | ||||||||
2026-04-28 2026-04-28 15:28:11 UTC | 5.2mww | Fiji region -18.620°, -177.609° | 361.1 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 5.2 earthquake was recorded in the Fiji region on April 28, 2026 at 15:28 UTC. At 361.1 km, this deep-focus earthquake originated far below the brittle crust, deep inside the mantle. It ranks as the second largest event in the current dataset. Geolocation places the event at -18.620°N, -177.609°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M5.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-04-28 2026-04-28 02:00:25 UTC | 4.3mb | 270 km WNW of Houma, Tonga -20.134°, -177.653° | 527.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 4.3 earthquake was recorded 270 km WNW of Houma, Tonga on April 28, 2026 at 02:00 UTC. At 527.0 km, this deep-focus earthquake originated far below the brittle crust, deep inside the mantle. The epicenter is at -20.134°, -177.653°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-04-25 2026-04-25 14:37:14 UTC | 4.4mb | 265 km WNW of Neiafu, Tonga -17.850°, -176.349° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 4.4 earthquake 265 km WNW of Neiafu, Tonga came in on April 25, 2026 at 14:37 UTC. At just 10.0 km, it was the shallowest earthquake in the current dataset — a shallow crustal event. Coordinates: -17.850°, -176.349°. 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. | ||||||||
2026-04-24 2026-04-24 22:41:02 UTC | 4.1mb | Fiji region -20.566°, -178.355° | 550.4 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 4.1 earthquake in the Fiji region came in on April 24, 2026 at 22:41 UTC. At 550.4 km, this deep-focus earthquake originated far below the brittle crust, deep inside the mantle. The epicenter is at -20.566°, -178.355°. 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. | ||||||||
2026-04-24 2026-04-24 03:15:28 UTC | 4.8mb | 163 km WNW of Neiafu, Tonga -18.329°, -175.492° | 204.7 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 4.8 seismic event took place 163 km WNW of Neiafu, Tonga on April 24, 2026 at 03:15 UTC. The hypocenter lay at 204.7 km, placing this in the intermediate depth category. Coordinates: -18.329°, -175.492°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.8 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-04-23 2026-04-23 14:38:05 UTC | 4.2mb | 192 km W of Neiafu, Tonga -18.614°, -175.811° | 278.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 14:38 UTC on April 23, 2026, a magnitude 4.2 tremor occurred 192 km W of Neiafu, Tonga. The hypocenter lay at 278.0 km, placing this in the intermediate depth category. The offshore location combined with this depth is characteristic of seismicity along descending slabs. The epicenter is at -18.614°, -175.811°. 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. | ||||||||
2026-04-23 2026-04-23 06:36:11 UTC | 4.2mb | south of the Fiji Islands -22.288°, -178.143° | 378.5 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 4.2 earthquake south of the Fiji Islands at 06:36 UTC on April 23, 2026. At 378.5 km, this deep-focus earthquake originated far below the brittle crust, deep inside the mantle. Geolocation places the event at -22.288°N, -178.143°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. | ||||||||
2026-04-23 2026-04-23 06:31:10 UTC | 5.2mww | 121 km WNW of Houma, Tonga -20.656°, -176.330° | 197.5 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 5.2 earthquake 121 km WNW of Houma, Tonga with origin time 06:31 UTC on April 23, 2026. It ranks as the third largest event in the current dataset. The event originated approximately 197.5 km below the surface, classifying it as intermediate depth. Coordinates: -20.656°, -176.330°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M5.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-04-22 2026-04-22 21:08:32 UTC | 4.3mb | Fiji region -18.910°, -177.359° | 377.8 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 4.3 earthquake in the Fiji region with origin time 21:08 UTC on April 22, 2026. At 377.8 km, this deep-focus earthquake originated far below the brittle crust, deep inside the mantle. Geolocation places the event at -18.910°N, -177.359°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
275 km SW of Houma, Tonga
2026-05-12
158 km W of Neiafu, Tonga
2026-03-24
Data from USGS Earthquake Hazards Program. Updated every 5 minutes.
Tonga sits above one of the fastest subduction zones on Earth where the Pacific Plate dives beneath the Australian Plate at nearly 24 cm per year.
In 2026, Tonga has recorded 183 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater so far. The largest earthquake in Tonga in 2026 was a magnitude 7.5 event near Neiafu, Tonga. As of today, seismic monitoring continues with 1 earthquakes detected in the past 24 hours and 28 in the last 30 days.
Tonga sits above one of the fastest subduction zones on Earth where the Pacific Plate dives beneath the Australian Plate at nearly 24 cm per year.
Over the past 30 days, there have been 28 recorded earthquakes in this region. The largest recent earthquake was a magnitude 5.7 event near 275 km SW of Houma, Tonga.
In the past 30 days, 28 earthquakes have been recorded in the Tonga region. The number varies based on seismic activity in the area.
The largest recent earthquake in the Tonga area was a magnitude 5.7 event that occurred 275 km SW of Houma, Tonga.
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.
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