Magnitude 6.6 Earthquake Hit in Tonga

- Time: 2024-05-26 at 20:47:12 UTC
             2024-05-26 at 08:47:12 GMT+12
- Location: -19.46° LAT, -174.84° LON
- Magnitude: mw6.6
- Depth: 140 km
- Provider: EMSC

Picture 1: Location of the magnitude 6.6 in Tonga.

The earthquake occurred under INCREASED seismic hazard exposure (yellow alert), according to Quantectum’s automatic alert field estimations.

Picture 2: Picture showing increased hazard exposure in the region of the earthquake.

According to Quantectum’s Macroseismic Intensity map, the earthquake reached level VI macroseismic intensity, associated with STRONG shaking and potential slight damage to the infrastructure. The most potentially exposed cities were Fangale’ounga (pop. 2,000), Pangai (pop. 2,000), Neiafu (pop. 4,000), Niutoua (pop. 671), Kolonga (pop. 1,000), Nuku’alofa (pop. 22,000), Haveluloto (pop. 3,000), Lapaha (pop. 8,000), Tatakamotonga (pop. 3,000), Houma (pop. 3,000), Vaini (pop. 3,000), Malapo (pop. 647) and ‘Ohonua (pop. 1,000).

Picture 3: Macroseismic intensity map for the magnitude 6.6 earthquake in Tonga.

According to Matani Tonga News, an urgent tsunami alert was issued at  9:55 AM local time and later canceled at 11:00 AM, after the tsunami threat had passed. So far, there have been no reports of damage or injuries.

* The exact information about the magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the earthquake might be revised within the next few hours as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other data providers issue their reports.

** The information provided is a product of Quantectum's own system, please tag Quantectum when sharing it. For more detailed information, contact us by email.