Shallow M6.0 earthquake hits Tonga
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit Tonga at 22:39 UTC on September 7, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
The epicenter was located 128.2 km (79.7 miles) E of Ohonua (population 1 241) and 154.6 km (96 miles) E of Nuku‘alofa (population 22 400), Tonga.
87 000 people are estimated to have felt light 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.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
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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