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M5.1 Depth: 10.0 km

M5.1 Earthquake near Samoa Islands region

UTC time: 2026-03-23 08:44:29 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.1 earthquake was recorded near Samoa Islands region on March 23, 2026 at 08:44 UTC. The hypocenter lay relatively close to the surface at around 10 km, increasing how strongly it was felt. Earthquakes of this magnitude can damage poorly built structures.

The event was recorded by ISC.

Details

Magnitude
M5.1
Depth
10.0 km
UTC time
2026-03-23 08:44:29 UTC
Local time
—
Country
—
Source
isc
Coordinates
-15.73000, -172.88000
Temperature
28.7°C

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 10 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 10 km
Shallow
10 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
Apia242.5 kmNE40'407

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Curacoa
    Distance: 85 km ·Complex ·Elevation: -33 m ·Last eruption: 1979 ·Tonga
  • Tafahi
    Distance: 94 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 546 m ·Tonga
  • West Mata
    Distance: 117 km ·Fissure vent(s) ·Elevation: -1'174 m ·Last eruption: 2009 ·Tonga
  • Niuatahi
    Distance: 127 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: -1'270 m ·Tonga
  • Tafu-Maka
    Distance: 150 km ·Fissure vent ·Elevation: -1'400 m ·Last eruption: 2008 ·Tonga
  • Upolu
    Distance: 235 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'100 m ·Samoa

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

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

First 6 hours1
First 24 hours1
First 72 hours1
Strongest subsequent eventM6.3
M5.12026-03-23 11:58:52 UTC42.7 kmTonga Islands M5.42026-03-27 23:35:09 UTC51.8 kmSAMOA ISLANDS REGION M4.82026-03-28 10:16:55 UTC57.9 kmTONGA M5.02026-03-29 23:45:10 UTC113.0 kmEvent of magnitude 5.0, near of Nouméa (Monde) M5.42026-03-29 23:45:14 UTC117.9 kmTonga Islands M5.12026-03-29 23:45:14 UTC113.4 kmTONGA M5.02026-04-03 02:49:59 UTC141.3 kmTonga Islands M4.82026-04-18 09:32:01 UTC56.7 kmTONGA M5.02026-04-18 09:32:02 UTC32.4 kmTonga Islands M5.42026-04-19 17:34:45 UTC73.2 kmEvent of magnitude 5.4, near Nouméa (Monde) M6.12026-04-19 17:34:47 UTC103.7 km###.# km ( ###.# mi) SW (az= 235.3) from San Miguel Is., CA M6.32026-04-19 17:34:47 UTC81.1 kmTonga Islands [Sea: Tonga]

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#39
Earlier events M≥492
Earlier events M≥550
Compared since2025-01-03

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

Strongest earlier events

M6.32026-03-22 15:30:40 UTC36.3 kmTonga Islands M6.32026-03-22 15:28:08 UTC32.7 kmTonga [Sea] M6.32026-03-22 06:15:47 UTC34.7 kmTonga [Sea] M6.22026-03-22 15:27:56 UTC73.7 km###.# km ( ###.# mi) SW (az= 234.4) from San Miguel Is., CA M6.22026-03-22 06:15:36 UTC42.6 km###.# km ( ###.# mi) SW (az= 234.7) from San Miguel Is., CA

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
593
Country (24h)
—
—
Current earthquakes in
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No recent events available.

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