M5.0 Depth: 10.0 km

M5.0 Earthquake near Tonga Islands (Tonga)

UTC time: 2025-08-14 09:50:46 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

On August 14, 2025 at 09:50 UTC, a magnitude M5.0 earthquake occurred near Tonga Islands (Tonga). The hypocenter lay relatively close to the surface at around 10 km, increasing how strongly it was felt. Events of this size can cause damage near the epicenter.

The event was recorded by GFZ.

Details

Magnitude

M5.0

Depth

10.0 km

UTC time

2025-08-14 09:50:46 UTC

Local time

—

Country

Tonga

City

Ongo Niua

Source

gfz

Coordinates

-16.03000, -173.69000

Temperature

25.9°C

Map

Depth profile

Shallow

10 km

10 km — shallower than the regional average (86.9 km)

Regional average: 86.9 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

Apia319.9 kmNE40'407

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Tafahi

Distance: 20 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 546 m ·Tonga
Curacoa

Distance: 46 km ·Complex ·Elevation: -33 m ·Last eruption: 1979 ·Tonga
Niuatahi

Distance: 81 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: -1'270 m ·Tonga
Tafu-Maka

Distance: 93 km ·Fissure vent ·Elevation: -1'400 m ·Last eruption: 2008 ·Tonga
West Mata

Distance: 104 km ·Fissure vent(s) ·Elevation: -1'174 m ·Last eruption: 2009 ·Tonga
Niuafo'ou

Distance: 213 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 260 m ·Last eruption: 1946 ·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 eventM5.6

M5.52025-08-18 07:48:43 UTC90.7 km88 km NNE of Hihifo, Tonga M5.52025-08-18 07:48:44 UTC70.6 kmTonga Islands M5.52025-08-18 07:48:45 UTC88.8 kmTONGA M5.62025-08-18 07:48:49 UTC117.8 km122 km ENE of Hihifo, Tonga M4.42025-09-07 19:03:37 UTC140.7 kmTONGA

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#17

Earlier events M≥466

Earlier events M≥521

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 UTC98.4 km84 km WNW of Hihifo, Tonga M5.52025-08-12 13:41:29 UTC93.1 kmTONGA M5.52025-04-19 16:55:04 UTC97.0 km92 km NNE of Hihifo, Tonga M5.52025-02-20 10:31:20 UTC80.0 km68 km NNW of Hihifo, Tonga M5.42025-06-29 01:56:15 UTC40.0 kmTonga Islands

Historic earthquake map · Tonga

Open history map

Explore recent and long-term earthquake activity in this country. Use filters to narrow down by magnitude, depth, and date range.

Country statistics · Tonga

Country overview

View earthquake KPIs, strongest and latest events, and averages for this country.

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)

594

Country (24h)