M5.0 Depth: 292.3 km

M5.0 Earthquake near TONGA

UTC time: 2026-05-03 16:36:14 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.0 earthquake was recorded near TONGA on May 3, 2026 at 16:36 UTC. At around 292 km, the focal depth places this among intermediate-depth events. Earthquakes of this magnitude can damage poorly built structures.

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

Details

Magnitude

M5.0

Depth

292.3 km

UTC time

2026-05-03 16:36:14 UTC

Local time

—

Country

—

Source

emsc

Coordinates

-18.53550, -175.78210

Temperature

26.8°C

Map

Depth profile

Intermediate

292.3 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'alofa295.6 kmS22'400

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Home Reef

Distance: 118 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -10 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Tonga
Lateiki

Distance: 120 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 43 m ·Last eruption: 2019 ·Tonga
Late

Distance: 123 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 540 m ·Last eruption: 1854 ·Tonga
Kao

Distance: 149 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'009 m ·Last eruption: 1847 ·Tonga
Tofua Arc at 18.3°S

Distance: 151 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -40 m ·Last eruption: 2019 ·Tonga
Tofua

Distance: 154 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: 515 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Tonga

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

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

First 6 hours0

First 24 hours1

First 72 hours1

Strongest subsequent eventM5.3

M4.32026-05-04 03:58:51 UTC52.4 km M4.92026-05-16 15:47:20 UTC41.2 kmTonga Islands M4.72026-05-16 15:47:21 UTC55.0 km M4.42026-05-17 00:13:49 UTC22.5 km M4.52026-05-17 13:16:28 UTC5.0 km M4.72026-05-17 13:16:55 UTC140.9 kmFiji Islands Region M5.32026-05-27 19:09:53 UTC97.1 km

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#17

Earlier events M≥474

Earlier events M≥519

Compared since2025-01-02

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

Strongest earlier events

M6.42025-05-14 04:15:39 UTC52.0 kmTonga Islands M6.42025-05-14 04:15:38 UTC56.4 km137 km W of Neiafu, Tonga M6.42025-05-14 04:15:37 UTC53.6 km M5.72025-06-28 04:17:07 UTC147.3 kmTonga Islands M5.52026-04-13 02:15:01 UTC40.2 km

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)

601

Country (24h)

—

Current earthquakes in

Magnitude Place Local time

No recent events available.