Shallow M6.0 earthquake hits Tonga

A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit Tonga at 04:33 UTC on April 19, 2022. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.

The epicenter was located about 108 km (67.1 miles) E of ‘Ohonua and 137.8 km (85.7 miles) ESE of Nuku‘alofa, Tonga.

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

47 000 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.

Estimated exposure to earthquake shaking

Selected cities exposed

Regional seismicity

Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google