# M5.5 Earthquake: 122 km W of Neiafu, Tonga

Updated 09:05 UTC, 29 Oct 2026. Canonical: https://monitorworld.app/earthquake/2026-10-12-m5-5-neiafu-tonga

A **magnitude 5.5** earthquake struck 122 km W of Neiafu, Tonga at 04:38 UTC on 12 Oct 2026, at a depth of 195 km, reported by USGS. USGS PAGER issued a green alert: little or no damage and a low chance of deaths. USGS did not set a tsunami flag for this quake. So far 1 aftershock of M2.5+ has been recorded within 50 km, the largest a M4.5.

## Key numbers

- Magnitude (USGS): **M5.5** (mww)
- Depth: **195 km** (intermediate)
- USGS PAGER impact alert: **GREEN** (estimated impact)
- Aftershocks M2.5+ so far: **1** (within 50 km)

## Nearest places

- [123 KM] Neiafu, Vava‘u, Tonga (123 km from the epicentre, quake was W of here, population 4,320)
- [268 KM] Nuku‘alofa, Tongatapu, Tonga (268 km from the epicentre, quake was N of here, population 22,400)
- [635 KM] Labasa, Northern, Fiji (635 km from the epicentre, quake was ESE of here, population 27,949)
- [650 KM] Apia, Tuamasaga, Samoa (650 km from the epicentre, quake was SW of here, population 40,407)
- [673 KM] Nasinu, Central, Fiji (673 km from the epicentre, quake was E of here, population 92,043)

## Strongest aftershocks so far

- [LOW] [M4.5 · 159 km W of Neiafu, Tonga](https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000u2qd) (2026-10-16 15:06 UTC, 257 km deep, USGS)

## Key context

### Tectonic setting

**Tonga-Kermadec Trench.** The Pacific Plate subducts west beneath the Tonga and Kermadec arcs at the fastest rate measured anywhere, up to about 24 cm per year near Tonga. The zone has frequent M6-7 quakes at all depths; the 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai eruption came from the same arc.

The USGS moment tensor shows normal faulting: the crust was pulled apart and one block dropped down, typical of stretching crust or of bending in a sinking slab.

At 195 km it was an intermediate-depth quake. These are felt over a wide area, but the shaking at the surface is usually weaker than from a shallow quake of the same size, and they rarely cause tsunamis.

### Shaking and impact

USGS PAGER estimates the impact from the shaking and the number of people exposed. For this quake it issued a green alert: little or no damage and a low chance of deaths (fatality alert: green, economic loss alert: green). PAGER is an early estimate and can change as reports come in.

The USGS ShakeMap estimates the strongest shaking at intensity III on the Modified Mercalli scale (weak).

1 person sent a "Did You Feel It?" report to USGS, with the strongest reported intensity II (weak).

### Aftershocks

This page counts quakes of M2.5 or more within 50 km after the main shock, from the USGS catalog (last checked 09:05 UTC, 29 Oct 2026): 1 aftershock so far.

Aftershocks are normal after a quake of this size. They usually become less frequent over days and weeks, but a strong aftershock can still happen, and in a few sequences a later quake is larger. No one can predict their exact time or size; follow the official agency for your area.

### Earthquake history within 250 km

Since 1976, USGS lists 1,201 quakes of M5 or more within 250 km of this epicentre, about 24 a year. Since 1900 the same circle had 446 quakes of M5.5 or larger.

Largest earlier quakes within 250 km, USGS catalog since 1900 (M6+).

| Magnitude | Place (USGS) | Date | Depth |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| M8.0 | Tonga | 1903-01-04 | 400 km |
| M8.0 | 2006 Tonga Earthquake | 2006-05-03 | 55 km |
| M7.8 | 159 km W of Pangai, Tonga | 1950-12-14 | 216 km |
| M7.5 | 158 km W of Neiafu, Tonga | 2026-03-24 | 234 km |
| M7.4 | 103 km ESE of Neiafu, Tonga | 1921-02-27 | 15 km |
| M7.3 | 85 km ESE of Neiafu, Tonga | 1907-01-02 | 30 km |
| M7.2 | 108 km SE of Neiafu, Tonga | 1906-12-19 | 35 km |
| M7.2 | 117 km SSW of Hihifo, Tonga | 2000-01-08 | 183 km |

### Official information

- [EMSC (European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre)](https://www.emsc-csem.org/)
- [USGS event page for this quake](https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000u1pl) (ShakeMap, PAGER, felt reports)
- [tsunami.gov](https://www.tsunami.gov/) for US tsunami bulletins

### Data status

USGS review status: reviewed. Magnitude type: mww. USGS last updated this event on 13 Oct 2026 at 04:44 UTC. Magnitude, depth and location can still be revised; this page keeps the same address if they change.

## FAQ

### How strong was the earthquake near Neiafu, Tonga?

USGS measured it at magnitude 5.5 (mww), 195 km deep. The strongest estimated shaking was intensity III (weak). Quakes of M5 to 5.9 are classed as moderate.

### Was there a tsunami?

USGS did not set a tsunami flag for this quake, and at 195 km depth it was too deep to move the sea floor much. If you are on a coast and feel strong or long shaking, move to high ground anyway, and follow local officials.

### Was the earthquake felt?

Yes. 1 person reported it to USGS "Did You Feel It?", with reports up to intensity II.

### Will there be more aftershocks?

Aftershocks are likely to continue for days to weeks, becoming less frequent over time. So far 1 aftershock of M2.5+ has been listed. Most sequences do not produce a larger quake, but some do. No one can predict the time or size of the next one; follow EMSC (European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre).

### What should I do after a strong earthquake?

Expect aftershocks: Drop, Cover and Hold On when shaking starts again. Check for injuries and damage, stay out of damaged buildings, and use text messages instead of calls so emergency lines stay free. On a coast, move to high ground after strong shaking. Follow your local officials.

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## Sources

- [USGS event page](https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000u1pl): magnitude, location, ShakeMap, PAGER and Did You Feel It? data for this event. Public domain. Credit: U.S. Geological Survey.
- [USGS ComCat (FDSN event web service)](https://earthquake.usgs.gov/fdsnws/event/1/): the USGS earthquake catalog, used for the 30-year counts, history and aftershocks. Public domain. Credit: U.S. Geological Survey.
- [USGS Geoserve](https://earthquake.usgs.gov/ws/geoserve/): nearest places to the epicentre.
- [GeoNames](https://www.geonames.org/): large-city coordinates, CC BY 4.0.

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