Earthquakes in Tonga

In Tonga, there are partly large earthquakes with strengths of more than 7.0, which cause damages within a radius of over 100 kilometers. Due to the special tectonic situation of the country, there are more earthquakes than average. There were 9 earthquakes that also caused a subsequent tsunami, which claimed further lives, and cause additional damage.

Other natural hazards in Tonga:
› Volcanos
› Tsunamis
› Cyclones
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Most recent events

This list includes the strongest earthquakes recorded in or around Tonga by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in the past 14 days. Whether an event is listed here depends largely on its magnitude, but also on its distance from inhabited areas. All data refer to the local time. This page is updated daily at 11 am UTC.

Jan. 27, 3:19 am
Magnitude 4.8: 107 km northeast of Neiafu at a depth of 35 km.
Jan. 24, 7:15 pm
Magnitude 4.7: 100 km south-southwest of ‘Ohonua at a depth of 43.48 km.
Jan. 22, 3:48 pm
Magnitude 5.0: Tonga at a depth of ten km.
Jan. 20, 4:11 pm
Magnitude 4.9: 117 km east-northeast of Hihifo at a depth of ten km.
Jan. 20, 6:52 am
Magnitude 5.0: 78 km east of ‘Ohonua at a depth of ten km.
Jan. 19, 8:08 am
Magnitude 4.5: 148 km north-northwest of Neiafu at a depth of 227.98 km.
Jan. 18, 9:46 am
Magnitude 5.1: Tonga at a depth of 15.64 km.
Jan. 17, 10:38 pm
Magnitude 4.9: Samoa Islands at a depth of ten km.

Earthquakes in Tonga since 1950

The strongest earthquake in Tonga happened on 05/03/2006 in the Tonga Islands region with a magnitude of 7.9 on the Richter scale. The earthquake also triggered a tsunami, leading to further victims and destruction.

Date	Region	Depth	Magnitude	Deaths
11/11/2022	Tonga Islands	24 km	7.3	0
03/19/2009	Tonga Islands	40 km	7.6	0
05/03/2006	Tonga Islands	40 km	7.9	0
10/14/1997	Tonga Islands	18 km	7.7	0
10/06/1987	Tonga Islands	6 km	7.3	0
12/19/1982	Tonga Trench	54 km	7.7	0
10/10/1977	Tonga Trench	53 km	7.2	0
06/22/1977	Tonga Trench	33 km	7.2	1
10/11/1975	South Of Tonga	15 km	7.8	0
12/18/1963	Tonga Trench		7.5	0
01/10/1956	Tonga Islands		7.7	0
12/14/1950	Tonga Islands	46 km	7.7	0

These statistics are based on datas from the National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K. Data have been summarized and translated.

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