A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.9 hit the Tonga region at 10:27 UTC on July 2, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 225 km (139.8 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.7 at a depth of 224 km (139.1 miles).
A shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit south of Tonga at 07:16 UTC on June 25, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 7.1 km (4.4 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.0 at a depth of 49 km (30 miles).
A shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit the Tonga region at 19:10 UTC on June 16, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 20.5 km (12.7 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.3 at a depth of 60 km (37.3 miles).
A shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit south of the Fiji islands at 08:11 UTC on June 16, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 22 km (13.7 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.0 at a depth of 30 km (18 miles).
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit Tonga region at 00:11 UTC on May 27, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 223.9 km (139 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.0 at a depth of 219 km (136 miles).
A very strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.4 hit Tonga region at 16:02 UTC on May 10, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 213 km (132 miles). EMSC is reporting M7.3 at a depth of 211 km (131 miles).
A strong and shallow earthquake, registered by the USGS as M6.7 hit 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).
A very strong earthquake, registered by the USGS as M7.1, hit the Tonga Islands region at 10:48 UTC on November 11, 2022. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M7.3 at a depth of 60 km (37 miles).
A new analysis published in Science shows the eruption at Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai volcano in Tonga on January 15, 2022, created the highest volcanic plume ever recorded. This is the first time a volcanic plume has been seen to penetrate the stratopause.
Home Reef volcano re-emerged above sea level on September 9, 2022, prompting authorities in Tonga to issue a Hazard Alert to all marines to sail at least 5 km (3.1 miles) away from the volcano. The volcano is located midway between Metis Shoal and Late Island in the central Tonga islands. It was first reported active in the mid-19th century when an ephemeral island formed.
