M5.6 Depth: 35.0 km

M5.6 Earthquake near SOUTH OF TONGA

UTC time: 2025-08-18 23:03:12 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.6 earthquake was recorded near SOUTH OF TONGA on August 18, 2025 at 23:03 UTC. With a focal depth of about 35 km, this was a shallow earthquake, whose shaking is usually felt more strongly at the surface. Events of this size can cause damage near the epicenter.

The event was recorded by EMSC.

Details

Magnitude

M5.6

Depth

35.0 km

UTC time

2025-08-18 23:03:12 UTC

Local time

—

Country

—

Source

emsc

Coordinates

-24.56420, -176.02460

Temperature

21.0°C

Map

Depth profile

Shallow

35 km

Why depth matters

Shallow quakes release energy near the surface — shaking is felt more strongly and damage potential is higher.

Depth classes per USGS

Nearby population centers

Distances are straight-line distances from the epicenter. Population data: GeoNames.

PlaceDistanceDirectionPopulation

Nuku'alofa390.3 kmN22'400

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Kermadec Arc at 24.8°S

Distance: 104 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -385 m ·Tonga
Monowai

Distance: 188 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -132 m ·Last eruption: 2014 ·New Zealand
Tofua Arc at 21.3°S

Distance: 361 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -68 m ·Last eruption: 1932 ·Tonga
Tofua Arc at 21.1°S

Distance: 381 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -65 m ·Tonga
Tofua Arc at 20.9°S

Distance: 416 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -296 m ·Last eruption: 2017 ·Tonga
Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai

Distance: 451 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: 114 m ·Last eruption: 2022 ·Tonga

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

Events recorded after this earthquake within 150 km. They are not automatically classified as aftershocks.

First 6 hours0

First 24 hours2

First 72 hours2

Strongest subsequent eventM6.0

M5.32025-08-19 14:37:12 UTC19.9 kmSouth of Tonga Islands M5.42025-08-19 14:37:16 UTC15.5 kmsouth of Tonga M5.52025-08-23 00:10:54 UTC50.3 kmSouth of Tonga Islands M5.52025-08-23 00:10:55 UTC16.9 kmsouth of Tonga M5.22025-08-23 00:10:56 UTC41.2 kmEvent of magnitude 5.2, near of Auckland (Monde) M6.02025-08-23 00:11:01 UTC86.8 kmSouth of Tonga Islands [Sea: Tonga] M5.02025-08-23 00:43:45 UTC10.3 kmSOUTH OF TONGA M5.22025-08-27 00:10:38 UTC51.1 kmsouth of Tonga M5.02025-09-03 22:56:13 UTC127.2 km246 km SSW of ‘Ohonua, Tonga M5.22025-09-05 01:27:38 UTC144.0 kmTonga Islands Region M5.02025-09-05 01:27:41 UTC146.8 kmTONGA REGION M5.02025-09-05 13:58:49 UTC128.9 kmSOUTH OF FIJI ISLANDS

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#3

Earlier events M≥435

Earlier events M≥519

Compared since2025-01-12

The QuakeMap24 comparison dataset begins on 2024-03-23. Earlier earthquakes may not be included.

Strongest earlier events

M6.02025-02-07 10:26:59 UTC72.9 kmsouth of the Fiji Islands M5.72025-08-16 22:52:05 UTC66.6 kmSouth of Tonga Islands M5.62025-08-18 23:03:09 UTC17.2 kmSouth of Tonga Islands M5.52025-08-16 22:52:11 UTC16.0 kmsouth of Tonga M5.42025-08-16 22:52:07 UTC46.0 kmEvent of magnitude 5.4, near of Auckland (Monde)

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)

693

Country (24h)

—

Current earthquakes in

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