M5.1 earthquake — 34 km NNW of Neiafu, Tonga
A moderate magnitude 5.1 earthquake occurred 34 km NNW of Neiafu, Tonga on Sep 8, 2026 at 11:51 UTC. The epicenter was at a depth of 86 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 | M5.1 |
|---|---|
| Depth | 86.1 km |
| Coordinates | -18.379, -174.133 |
| Time | Sep 8, 11:51 UTC |
| Location | 34 km NNW of Neiafu, Tonga |
| USGS event ID | us7000tftd |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4.7 | 103 km | Sep 29, 16:13 UTC | 50 km N of Fangale’ounga, Tonga |
| M4.9 | 173 km | Oct 1, 08:45 UTC | 145 km ESE of Neiafu, Tonga |
| M5.4 | 256 km | Sep 29, 12:40 UTC | 99 km SSE of Pangai, Tonga |
Earthquake activity in this area
Source: USGS earthquake catalog. Automated readings may be revised. Not for emergency use.