Strong and shallow M6.7 earthquake hits Samoa Islands region

A strong and shallow earthquake, registered by the USGS as M6.7, hit the Samoa Islands region at 19:24 UTC on December 4, 2022. The agency is reporting a depth of 36 km (22.3 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.7 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).

The epicenter was located about 108.2 km (67.2 miles) NE of Hihifo, Tonga, and 269.2 km (167.2 miles) WSW of Tāfuna, Western District, American Samoa.

194 000 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 vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are informal (metal, timber, GI etc.) and unknown/miscellaneous types construction.

Based on all available data, there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake. However, a tsunami advisory was issued for American Samoa, PTWC said at 19:33 UTC.

The advisory was canceled at 20:22 UTC.

Regional seismicity

Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google