M5.3 Depth: 572.0 km

M5.3 Earthquake near Lau, Eastern (Fiji)

UTC time: 2026-08-12 22:13:34 UTC Local time: —

M5.3 earthquake near Lau on Aug 12, 2026 — map of epicenter and shaking intensity | QuakeMap24 — M5.3 Earthquake near Lau, Eastern (Fiji) · 2026-08-12 22:13:34 UTC

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.3 earthquake was recorded near Lau, Eastern (Fiji) on August 12, 2026 at 22:13 UTC. The deep hypocenter at about 572 km dampens the shaking felt at the surface. Earthquakes of this magnitude can damage poorly built structures.

The event was recorded by USGS.

Details

Magnitude

M5.3

Depth

572.0 km

UTC time

2026-08-12 22:13:34 UTC

Local time

—

Country

Fiji

State

Eastern

City

Lau

County

Lau

Source

usgs

Coordinates

-17.86500, -178.54500

Temperature

23.7°C

Map

Depth profile

Deep

572 km

572 km — close to the regional average (575 km)

Regional average: 575 km

Why depth matters

Deep quakes are felt over very large areas but rarely cause surface damage.

Depth classes per USGS

Tectonic context

Located on the Australia Plate.

Near the boundary Niuafoʻou ↔ Australia · about 202 km away

Nearby population centers

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

PlaceDistanceDirectionPopulation

Labasa267.7 kmNW27'949

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Taveuni

Distance: 189 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'241 m ·Last eruption: 1550 ·Fiji
Lobster

Distance: 371 km ·Shield ·Elevation: -1'500 m ·Tonga
Niuafo'ou

Distance: 400 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 260 m ·Last eruption: 1946 ·Tonga
Dugong

Distance: 404 km ·Shield ·Elevation: -1'170 m ·Tonga
Lateiki

Distance: 414 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 43 m ·Last eruption: 2019 ·Tonga
Home Reef

Distance: 417 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -10 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Tonga

Comparison of seismic sources

3 sources currently report magnitudes from M5.3 to M5.6.

Measurements can differ because agencies use different networks and calculation methods. Values may be revised.

SourceMagnitudeDepthPosition difference

EMSCM5.6581.0 km7.9 km

GFZM5.6582.0 km8.7 km

USGSM5.3572.0 km0.0 km

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#3

Earlier events M≥4262

Earlier events M≥541

Compared since2025-01-03

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

Strongest earlier events

M5.72026-05-15 21:14:31 UTC74.1 kmFiji Islands Region M5.72026-05-15 21:14:31 UTC73.6 km M5.62025-11-08 04:15:04 UTC115.7 kmFiji region M5.62025-08-26 01:32:48 UTC7.8 kmFIJI REGION M5.62025-08-26 01:32:39 UTC7.7 km227 km E of Levuka, Fiji

Historic earthquake map · Fiji

Open history map

Explore recent and long-term earthquake activity in this country. Use filters to narrow down by magnitude, depth, and date range.

Country statistics · Fiji

Country overview

View earthquake KPIs, strongest and latest events, and averages for this country.

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)

617

Country (24h)