Deep M6.4 earthquake hits Tonga region

A strong and deep earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.4 hit the Tonga region at 22:28 UTC on April 25, 2021. The agency is reporting a depth of 234 km (145 miles). EMSC is reporting as M6.5 at a depth of 242 km (150 miles).

The epicenter was located 200 km (125 miles) WSW of Haveluloto, Tonga, and 610 km (379 miles) SE of Suva, Fiji.

There are no people living within 100 km (62 miles).

86 000 people are estimated to have felt light shaking.

The USGS issued a green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.

Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are highly vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though some resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are unknown/miscellaneous types and wood construction.

Image credit: TW/SAM, Google

Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking

Selected cities exposed

Regional seismicity

Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google