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M5.0 Depth: 10.0 km

M5.0 Earthquake near 141 km SSW of Gataivai, Samoa

UTC time: 2026-07-20 23:37:58 UTC Local time: —
M5.0 earthquake near 141 km SSW of Gataivai, Samoa on Jul 20, 2026 — map of epicenter and shaking intensity | QuakeMap24
M5.0 Earthquake near 141 km SSW of Gataivai, Samoa · 2026-07-20 23:37:58 UTC

About this earthquake

On July 20, 2026 at 23:37 UTC, a magnitude M5.0 earthquake occurred near 141 km SSW of Gataivai, Samoa. 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 USGS.

Details

Magnitude
M5.0
Depth
10.0 km
UTC time
2026-07-20 23:37:58 UTC
Local time
—
Country
—
Source
usgs
Coordinates
-14.96770, -172.86190
Temperature
25.8°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

Tectonic context

Located on the Tonga Plate.
Near the boundary Tonga ↔ Pacific · about 2 km away

Nearby population centers

Distances are straight-line distances from the epicenter. Population data: GeoNames.

PlaceDistanceDirectionPopulation
Apia172.7 kmNE40'407

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • West Mata
    Distance: 97 km ·Fissure vent(s) ·Elevation: -1'174 m ·Last eruption: 2009 ·Tonga
  • Curacoa
    Distance: 113 km ·Complex ·Elevation: -33 m ·Last eruption: 1979 ·Tonga
  • Niuatahi
    Distance: 130 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: -1'270 m ·Tonga
  • Tafahi
    Distance: 137 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 546 m ·Tonga
  • Tafu-Maka
    Distance: 153 km ·Fissure vent ·Elevation: -1'400 m ·Last eruption: 2008 ·Tonga
  • Savaii
    Distance: 155 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'858 m ·Last eruption: 1911 ·Samoa

Comparison of seismic sources

2 sources currently report magnitudes from M5.0 to M5.0.

Measurements can differ because agencies use different networks and calculation methods. Values may be revised.

SourceMagnitudeDepthPosition difference
EMSCM5.010.0 km0.0 km
USGSM5.010.0 km0.0 km

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#48
Earlier events M≥477
Earlier events M≥550
Compared since2025-01-03

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

Strongest earlier events

M6.32026-04-19 17:34:47 UTC57.9 kmTonga Islands [Sea: Tonga] M6.32026-03-22 15:30:40 UTC59.1 kmTonga Islands M6.32026-03-22 15:28:08 UTC54.5 kmTonga [Sea] M6.32026-03-22 06:15:47 UTC50.5 kmTonga [Sea] M6.22026-03-22 15:27:56 UTC44.2 km###.# km ( ###.# mi) SW (az= 234.4) from San Miguel Is., CA

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
624
Country (24h)
—
—
Current earthquakes in
Magnitude Place Local time
No recent events available.

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