M5.3 earthquake — 251 km S of ‘Ohonua, Tonga
A moderate magnitude 5.3 earthquake occurred 251 km S of ‘Ohonua, Tonga on Aug 2, 2026 at 10:34 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 | M5.3 |
|---|---|
| Depth | 10.0 km |
| Coordinates | -23.612, -175.037 |
| Time | Aug 2, 10:34 UTC |
| Location | 251 km S of ‘Ohonua, Tonga |
| USGS event ID | us6000thlj |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| M5.1 | 125 km | Aug 21, 08:12 UTC | south of Tonga |
Earthquake activity in this area
Source: USGS earthquake catalog. Automated readings may be revised. Not for emergency use.