Deep M6.6 earthquake hits Samoa Islands region
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.6 hit Samoa Islands region at 23:37 UTC on July 24, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 314 km (185 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Epicenter of M6.6 earthquake in Samoa Islands region on July 24, 2025. Credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 177 km (110 miles) SSE of Mata-Utu (population 1 200), Wallis and Futuna, 242 km (150 miles) WNW of Hihifo (population 815), Tonga, and 440 km (273 miles) WSW of Apia (population 40 407), Samoa.
12 000 people are estimated to have felt weak shaking.
There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
The USGS issued 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.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M6.6 earthquake Samoa Island region – USGS – July 24, 2025
2 M6.6 earthquake Samoa Island region – EMSC – July 24, 2025
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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