M4.9 earthquake — 54 km E of Hihifo, Tonga
An magnitude 4.9 earthquake occurred 54 km E of Hihifo, Tonga on Sep 8, 2026 at 15:43 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 | M4.9 |
|---|---|
| Depth | 10.0 km |
| Coordinates | -16.032, -173.298 |
| Time | Sep 8, 15:43 UTC |
| Location | 54 km E of Hihifo, Tonga |
| USGS event ID | us7000tfup |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| M5.3 | 286 km | Sep 8, 11:51 UTC | 26 km NW of Neiafu, Tonga |
Earthquake activity in this area
Source: USGS earthquake catalog. Automated readings may be revised. Not for emergency use.