M4.8 earthquake — 30 km E of Safotu, Samoa
An magnitude 4.8 earthquake occurred 30 km E of Safotu, Samoa on Oct 15, 2026 at 03:36 UTC. The epicenter was at a depth of 13 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 | M4.8 |
|---|---|
| Depth | 13.5 km |
| Coordinates | -13.433, -172.117 |
| Time | Oct 15, 03:36 UTC |
| Location | 30 km E of Safotu, Samoa |
| USGS event ID | us6000u2eh |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| M5.1 | 6 km | Oct 15, 03:36 UTC | 36 km E of Safotu, Samoa |
| M4.5 | 283 km | Oct 10, 08:38 UTC | 61 km N of Hihifo, Tonga |
Source: USGS earthquake catalog. Automated readings may be revised. Not for emergency use.