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M5.2 Depth: 23.0 km

M5.2 Earthquake near Tonga Islands

UTC time: 2025-08-12 13:41:27 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

On August 12, 2025 at 13:41 UTC, a magnitude M5.2 earthquake occurred near Tonga Islands. With a focal depth of about 23 km, this was a shallow earthquake, whose shaking is usually felt more strongly at the surface. Earthquakes of this magnitude can damage poorly built structures.

The event was recorded by GFZ.

Details

Magnitude
M5.2
Depth
23.0 km
UTC time
2025-08-12 13:41:27 UTC
Local time
—
Country
—
Source
gfz
Coordinates
-15.32000, -173.58000
Temperature
26.3°C

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 23 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 23 km
Shallow
23 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
Apia255.7 kmNE40'407

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • West Mata
    Distance: 31 km ·Fissure vent(s) ·Elevation: -1'174 m ·Last eruption: 2009 ·Tonga
  • Curacoa
    Distance: 35 km ·Complex ·Elevation: -33 m ·Last eruption: 1979 ·Tonga
  • Niuatahi
    Distance: 46 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: -1'270 m ·Tonga
  • Tafahi
    Distance: 62 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 546 m ·Tonga
  • Tafu-Maka
    Distance: 70 km ·Fissure vent ·Elevation: -1'400 m ·Last eruption: 2008 ·Tonga
  • Savaii
    Distance: 221 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'858 m ·Last eruption: 1911 ·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 hours3
Strongest subsequent eventM5.6
M5.52025-08-12 13:41:29 UTC29.2 kmTONGA M4.82025-08-14 09:50:45 UTC83.1 km45 km ESE of Hihifo, Tonga M5.02025-08-14 09:50:46 UTC79.8 kmTonga Islands M5.52025-08-18 07:48:43 UTC25.6 km88 km NNE of Hihifo, Tonga M5.52025-08-18 07:48:44 UTC24.8 kmTonga Islands M5.52025-08-18 07:48:45 UTC23.8 kmTONGA M5.62025-08-18 07:48:49 UTC82.4 km122 km ENE of Hihifo, Tonga

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#9
Earlier events M≥449
Earlier events M≥513
Compared since2025-01-03

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

Strongest earlier events

M5.62025-04-04 08:01:06 UTC100.9 km84 km WNW of Hihifo, Tonga M5.52025-04-19 16:55:04 UTC18.8 km92 km NNE of Hihifo, Tonga M5.52025-02-20 10:31:20 UTC38.7 km68 km NNW of Hihifo, Tonga M5.42025-06-29 01:56:15 UTC107.1 kmTonga Islands M5.32025-07-10 04:46:57 UTC88.2 kmTonga Islands

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
592
Country (24h)
—
—
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