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M5.2 Depth: 165.0 km

M5.2 Earthquake near Tonga Islands

UTC time: 2025-05-18 07:54:38 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.2 earthquake was recorded near Tonga Islands on May 18, 2025 at 07:54 UTC. The earthquake originated at an intermediate depth of about 165 km. Earthquakes of this magnitude can damage poorly built structures.

The data is provided by GFZ and cross-checked across seismological networks.

Details

Magnitude
M5.2
Depth
165.0 km
UTC time
2025-05-18 07:54:38 UTC
Local time
—
Country
—
Source
gfz
Coordinates
-17.51000, -173.92000
Temperature
26.6°C

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 165 km (Intermediate) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 165 km
Intermediate
165 km
Why depth matters

Intermediate-depth quakes are felt across a wider area but usually cause less surface damage.

Depth classes per USGS

Nearby population centers

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

PlaceDistanceDirectionPopulation
Nuku'alofa425.1 kmS22'400

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Fonualei
    Distance: 71 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 188 m ·Last eruption: 1957 ·Tonga
  • Tofua Arc at 18.3°S
    Distance: 102 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -40 m ·Last eruption: 2019 ·Tonga
  • Late
    Distance: 163 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 540 m ·Last eruption: 1854 ·Tonga
  • Tafahi
    Distance: 185 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 546 m ·Tonga
  • Home Reef
    Distance: 188 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -10 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Tonga
  • Lateiki
    Distance: 211 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 43 m ·Last eruption: 2019 ·Tonga

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

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

First 6 hours0
First 24 hours0
First 72 hours0
Strongest subsequent eventM5.4
M4.62025-05-21 15:19:24 UTC144.0 kmTONGA M5.02025-05-21 15:19:25 UTC123.5 kmTonga Islands M4.52025-06-13 08:59:37 UTC68.6 kmTONGA M4.52025-06-13 08:59:39 UTC47.1 km132 km SSW of Hihifo, Tonga M5.42025-06-16 06:17:13 UTC55.7 kmTonga Islands M5.02025-06-16 06:17:16 UTC48.3 km125 km S of Hihifo, Tonga M5.02025-06-16 06:17:16 UTC43.9 kmTONGA

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#2
Earlier events M≥420
Earlier events M≥52
Compared since2025-01-02

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

Strongest earlier events

M5.32025-04-12 03:16:35 UTC99.6 km74 km S of Hihifo, Tonga M5.02025-01-28 21:06:28 UTC114.1 km13 km N of Neiafu, Tonga M4.92025-05-18 07:54:33 UTC62.7 kmTONGA M4.92025-04-17 01:14:29 UTC84.9 km146 km SSE of Hihifo, Tonga M4.92025-04-02 21:06:02 UTC103.2 km88 km SSE of Hihifo, Tonga

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
584
Country (24h)
—
—
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