M6.1 Depth: 160.5 km

M6.1 Earthquake near Tonga [Sea]

UTC time: 2026-05-12 21:19:33 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

On May 12, 2026 at 21:19 UTC, a magnitude M6.1 earthquake occurred near Tonga [Sea]. At around 161 km, the focal depth places this among intermediate-depth events. Events of this size are considered strong and can be dangerous in inhabited regions.

The event was recorded by INGV.

Details

Magnitude

M6.1

Depth

160.5 km

UTC time

2026-05-12 21:19:33 UTC

Local time

—

Country

—

Source

ingv

Coordinates

-23.29100, -176.11600

Temperature

23.0°C

Map

Depth profile

Intermediate

160.5 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'alofa257.4 kmN22'400

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Kermadec Arc at 24.8°S

Distance: 191 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -385 m ·Tonga
Tofua Arc at 21.3°S

Distance: 222 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -68 m ·Last eruption: 1932 ·Tonga
Tofua Arc at 21.1°S

Distance: 241 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -65 m ·Tonga
Tofua Arc at 20.9°S

Distance: 277 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -296 m ·Last eruption: 2017 ·Tonga
Monowai

Distance: 308 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -132 m ·Last eruption: 2014 ·New Zealand
Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai

Distance: 314 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: 114 m ·Last eruption: 2022 ·Tonga

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

Events recorded after this earthquake within 250 km. They are not automatically classified as aftershocks.

First 6 hours3

First 24 hours3

First 72 hours3

Strongest subsequent eventM5.7

M5.72026-05-12 21:19:35 UTC75.4 km275 km SW of Houma, Tonga M5.42026-05-12 21:19:36 UTC70.5 kmEvent of magnitude 5.4, near North Shore (Monde) M5.72026-05-12 21:19:44 UTC97.6 kmSouth of Fiji Islands M4.72026-05-24 13:19:58 UTC110.6 kmSOUTH OF FIJI ISLANDS M5.02026-05-24 13:20:00 UTC101.5 kmSouth of Fiji Islands M4.92026-06-02 09:28:11 UTC213.9 kmTonga Islands M4.82026-06-10 23:50:23 UTC74.7 kmTONGA REGION

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 250 km.

Magnitude rank#1

Earlier events M≥4143

Earlier events M≥577

Compared since2025-01-02

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

Strongest earlier events

M6.02025-08-23 00:11:01 UTC148.6 kmSouth of Tonga Islands [Sea: Tonga] M6.02025-06-06 19:28:31 UTC232.9 kmSOUTH OF FIJI ISLANDS M6.02025-05-25 10:49:53 UTC63.5 kmTonga Islands Region M6.02025-05-25 10:49:53 UTC68.8 kmTONGA REGION M6.02025-02-07 10:26:59 UTC69.8 kmsouth of the Fiji Islands

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)

711

Country (24h)

—

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