Shallow M5.9 earthquake hits Tonga
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M5.9 hit Tonga at 06:40 UTC on June 18, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 35 km (21.7 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth. The quake was initially reported as M6.0.
The epicenter was located 87.6 km (54.4 miles) SE of Hihifo (population 815), and 351.5 km (218.4 miles) SSW of Apia (population 40 407), Samoa.
1 000 people are estimated to have felt weak shaking.
There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
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.
This is the fourth M6+ earthquake since the beginning of the month, following M6.2 at the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge on June 9, M6.0 west of Macquarie Island on June 6, and M6.0 near the coast of Peru on June 16.
Regional seismicity
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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