M4.9 earthquake — 72 km WNW of Pangai, Tonga
An magnitude 4.9 earthquake occurred 72 km WNW of Pangai, Tonga on Jul 20, 2026 at 21:11 UTC. The epicenter was at a depth of 47 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 | 47.2 km |
| Coordinates | -19.669, -175.027 |
| Time | Jul 20, 21:11 UTC |
| Location | 72 km WNW of Pangai, Tonga |
| USGS event ID | us7000t21n |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4.5 | 154 km | Aug 6, 06:44 UTC | 66 km NW of Houma, Tonga |
| M4.6 | 227 km | Aug 11, 18:45 UTC | 118 km ESE of Neiafu, Tonga |
Earthquake activity in this area
Source: USGS earthquake catalog. Automated readings may be revised. Not for emergency use.