M5.5 earthquake — 122 km W of Neiafu, Tonga
A moderate magnitude 5.5 earthquake occurred 122 km W of Neiafu, Tonga on Oct 12, 2026 at 04:38 UTC. The epicenter was at a depth of 195 km — an intermediate-depth earthquake. Intermediate quakes spread their energy over a wider area and are often felt across a broad region.
Event data
| Magnitude | M5.5 |
|---|---|
| Depth | 195.2 km |
| Coordinates | -18.723, -175.145 |
| Time | Oct 12, 04:38 UTC |
| Location | 122 km W of Neiafu, Tonga |
| USGS event ID | us6000u1pl |
What this magnitude typically means
Moderate earthquakes are widely felt and can cause light damage close to the epicenter. The shaking you actually experience depends on how far away you are and what kind of ground you are on. Tremor does not compute a single local shaking figure here, because how strong a quake feels at any address depends on distance, depth and local geology — open the interactive globe to explore the ShakeMap and estimated intensity.
Nearby recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Distance | Time (UTC) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4.7 | 266 km | Oct 11, 18:06 UTC | 156 km ESE of Neiafu, Tonga |
| M4.6 | 284 km | Oct 10, 12:21 UTC | 268 km WNW of Houma, Tonga |
Earthquake activity in this area
Source: USGS earthquake catalog. Automated readings may be revised. Not for emergency use.