Strong and shallow M6.6 earthquake hits Tonga
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.6 hit the Tonga Region at 20:05 UTC on October 2, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.6 hit the Tonga Region at 20:05 UTC on October 2, 2024, at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).
The epicenter was located 156 km (97 miles) ESE of Neiafu (population 4 320), and 322 km (200 miles) NE of Nuku’alofa (population 22 400), Tonga.
21 000 people are estimated to have felt light shaking.
Based on earthquake information and historic tsunami records, the earthquake is not expected to generate a tsunami, NWS PTWC said.
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
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M6.6 earthquake Tonga – USGS – October 2, 2024
2 M6.6 earthquake Tonga – EMSC – October 2, 2024
3 M6.6 earthquake Tonga – Tsunami Information Statement Number 1 – NWS/PTWC – October 2, 2024
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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