M4.6 earthquake — 130 km W of Pangai, Tonga
An magnitude 4.6 earthquake occurred 130 km W of Pangai, Tonga on Aug 21, 2026 at 16:45 UTC. The epicenter was at a depth of 271 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 | M4.6 |
|---|---|
| Depth | 271.1 km |
| Coordinates | -19.688, -175.596 |
| Time | Aug 21, 16:45 UTC |
| Location | 130 km W of Pangai, Tonga |
| USGS event ID | us6000tmlh |
What this magnitude typically means
Light earthquakes are felt by most people nearby but rarely cause damage. Distance, depth, and soil type determine whether a quake feels sharp or barely noticeable. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4.2 | 238 km | Aug 18, 23:53 UTC | 289 km WNW of Houma, Tonga |
| M4.2 | 257 km | Aug 15, 04:31 UTC | 285 km WNW of Houma, Tonga |
Earthquake activity in this area
Source: USGS earthquake catalog. Automated readings may be revised. Not for emergency use.