M4.5 earthquake — 153 km NW of Hihifo, Tonga
An magnitude 4.5 earthquake occurred 153 km NW of Hihifo, Tonga on Aug 19, 2026 at 02:19 UTC. The epicenter was at a depth of 224 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 | M4.5 |
|---|---|
| Depth | 223.5 km |
| Coordinates | -15.175, -174.985 |
| Time | Aug 19, 02:19 UTC |
| Location | 153 km NW of Hihifo, Tonga |
| USGS event ID | us6000tlt1 |
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.
Earthquake activity in this area
Source: USGS earthquake catalog. Automated readings may be revised. Not for emergency use.