M5.2 earthquake — 243 km SE of Hihifo, Tonga
A moderate magnitude 5.2 earthquake occurred 243 km SE of Hihifo, Tonga on Aug 25, 2026 at 15:15 UTC. The epicenter was at a depth of 10 km — a shallow earthquake. Shallow quakes concentrate their energy near the surface, so they tend to produce stronger shaking close to the epicenter.
Event data
| Magnitude | M5.2 |
|---|---|
| Depth | 10.0 km |
| Coordinates | -17.291, -171.982 |
| Time | Aug 25, 15:15 UTC |
| Location | 243 km SE of Hihifo, Tonga |
| USGS event ID | us6000tnd7 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4.9 | 90 km | Aug 24, 10:19 UTC | 218 km ENE of Neiafu, Tonga |
| M4.7 | 172 km | Aug 19, 09:07 UTC | 114 km E of Hihifo, Tonga |
Earthquake activity in this area
Source: USGS earthquake catalog. Automated readings may be revised. Not for emergency use.