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M5.0 Depth: 38.8 km

M5.0 Earthquake near 13 km N of Neiafu, Tonga

UTC time: 2025-01-28 21:06:28 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

On January 28, 2025 at 21:06 UTC, a magnitude M5.0 earthquake occurred near 13 km N of Neiafu, Tonga. The hypocenter lay relatively close to the surface at around 39 km, increasing how strongly it was felt. Events of this size can cause damage near the epicenter.

The event was recorded by USGS.

Details

Magnitude
M5.0
Depth
38.8 km
UTC time
2025-01-28 21:06:28 UTC
Local time
—
Country
—
Source
usgs
Coordinates
-18.53540, -173.96400

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 38.8 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 38.8 km
Shallow
38.8 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'alofa316.9 kmSW22'400

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Tofua Arc at 18.3°S
    Distance: 48 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -40 m ·Last eruption: 2019 ·Tonga
  • Fonualei
    Distance: 68 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 188 m ·Last eruption: 1957 ·Tonga
  • Late
    Distance: 78 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 540 m ·Last eruption: 1854 ·Tonga
  • Home Reef
    Distance: 99 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -10 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Tonga
  • Lateiki
    Distance: 119 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 43 m ·Last eruption: 2019 ·Tonga
  • Kao
    Distance: 168 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'009 m ·Last eruption: 1847 ·Tonga

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#1
Earlier events M≥45
Earlier events M≥50
Compared since2025-01-02

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

Strongest earlier events

M4.92025-01-07 09:06:56 UTC103.7 km98 km ESE of Neiafu, Tonga M4.92025-01-02 01:14:52 UTC57.2 kmVavaʻu M4.82025-01-05 21:08:14 UTC145.2 km136 km ENE of Fangale’ounga, Tonga M4.72025-01-08 21:01:37 UTC113.5 km104 km SE of Neiafu, Tonga M4.42025-01-22 02:59:21 UTC142.2 km135 km SE of Neiafu, Tonga

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
659
Country (24h)
—
—
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