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M5.5 Depth: 10.0 km

M5.5 Earthquake near 88 km NNE of Hihifo, Tonga

UTC time: 2025-08-18 07:48:43 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.5 earthquake was recorded near 88 km NNE of Hihifo, Tonga on August 18, 2025 at 07:48 UTC. With a focal depth of about 10 km, this was a shallow earthquake, whose shaking is usually felt more strongly at the surface. Events of this size can cause damage near the epicenter.

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

Details

Magnitude
M5.5
Depth
10.0 km
UTC time
2025-08-18 07:48:43 UTC
Local time
—
Country
—
Source
usgs
Coordinates
-15.28580, -173.34410
Temperature
26.8°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
Apia234.3 kmNE40'407

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • West Mata
    Distance: 48 km ·Fissure vent(s) ·Elevation: -1'174 m ·Last eruption: 2009 ·Tonga
  • Curacoa
    Distance: 51 km ·Complex ·Elevation: -33 m ·Last eruption: 1979 ·Tonga
  • Niuatahi
    Distance: 71 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: -1'270 m ·Tonga
  • Tafahi
    Distance: 77 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 546 m ·Tonga
  • Tafu-Maka
    Distance: 95 km ·Fissure vent ·Elevation: -1'400 m ·Last eruption: 2008 ·Tonga
  • Savaii
    Distance: 206 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'858 m ·Last eruption: 1911 ·Samoa

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#2
Earlier events M≥451
Earlier events M≥515
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 UTC126.3 km84 km WNW of Hihifo, Tonga M5.52025-08-12 13:41:29 UTC3.6 kmTONGA M5.52025-04-19 16:55:04 UTC18.6 km92 km NNE of Hihifo, Tonga M5.52025-02-20 10:31:20 UTC64.3 km68 km NNW of Hihifo, Tonga M5.42025-06-29 01:56:15 UTC123.6 kmTonga Islands

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
593
Country (24h)
—
—
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