# M5.5 Earthquake: 283 km E of Levuka, Fiji

Updated 09:05 UTC, 29 Oct 2026. Canonical: https://monitorworld.app/earthquake/2026-10-26-m5-5-levuka-fiji

A **magnitude 5.5** earthquake struck 283 km E of Levuka, Fiji at 10:13 UTC on 26 Oct 2026, at a depth of 642 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 M4.3.

## Key numbers

- Magnitude (USGS): **M5.5** (mww)
- Depth: **642 km** (deep)
- USGS PAGER impact alert: **GREEN** (estimated impact)
- Aftershocks M2.5+ so far: **1** (within 50 km)

## Nearest places

- [284 KM] Levuka, Eastern, Fiji (284 km from the epicentre, quake was E of here, population 8,360)
- [346 KM] Labasa, Northern, Fiji (346 km from the epicentre, quake was SE of here, population 27,949)
- [369 KM] Nasinu, Central, Fiji (369 km from the epicentre, quake was E of here, population 92,043)
- [377 KM] Suva, Central, Fiji (377 km from the epicentre, quake was E of here, population 77,366)
- [432 KM] Nuku‘alofa, Tongatapu, Tonga (432 km from the epicentre, quake was NW of here, population 22,400)

## Strongest aftershocks so far

- [LOW] [M4.3 · 287 km E of Levuka, Fiji](https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000u4yw) (2026-10-26 10:30 UTC, 637 km deep, USGS)

## Key context

### Tectonic setting

**Fiji-Tonga deep slab.** This deep quake happened inside the Pacific Plate where it has sunk hundreds of kilometres beneath Fiji and Tonga, the most productive deep-earthquake zone on Earth. Quakes this deep are seldom felt strongly at the surface and do not cause tsunamis.

The USGS moment tensor shows strike-slip faulting: the two sides of the fault slid sideways past each other.

At 642 km it was a deep-focus quake, inside a plate that has sunk deep into the mantle. Deep quakes are felt widely but weakly and do not 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 I on the Modified Mercalli scale (not felt).

USGS had no "Did You Feel It?" reports for this quake when this page was updated; remote and offshore quakes often get none.

### 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 1,188 quakes of M5 or more within 250 km of this epicentre, about 24 a year. Since 1900 the same circle had 462 quakes of M5.5 or larger.

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

| Magnitude | Place (USGS) | Date | Depth |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| M8.2 | 2018 Fiji Earthquake | 2018-08-19 | 600 km |
| M7.8 | Fiji region | 1919-01-01 | 485 km |
| M7.6 | 178 km E of Levuka, Fiji | 1909-02-22 | 550 km |
| M7.6 | 240 km E of Levuka, Fiji | 1994-03-09 | 563 km |
| M7.5 | 262 km WNW of Haveluloto, Tonga | 1962-05-21 | 390 km |
| M7.4 | 227 km E of Levuka, Fiji | 1910-08-21 | 550 km |
| M7.2 | Fiji region | 2006-01-02 | 583 km |
| M7.2 | 178 km ENE of Levuka, Fiji | 1998-03-29 | 537 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/us6000u4yr) (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 27 Oct 2026 at 10:18 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 Levuka, Fiji?

USGS measured it at magnitude 5.5 (mww), 642 km deep. The strongest estimated shaking was intensity I (not felt). 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 642 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?

USGS had no felt reports when this page was updated. That is common for offshore and remote quakes. If you felt it, you can report it on the USGS event page.

### 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/us6000u4yr): 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.

## Related

- [M5.5 Neiafu, Tonga](https://monitorworld.app/earthquake/2026-10-12-m5-5-neiafu-tonga): 12 Oct 2026, 306 km from this quake.
- [M5.9 Fiji region](https://monitorworld.app/earthquake/2026-10-14-m5-9-fiji-region): 14 Oct 2026, 312 km from this quake.
- [Earthquakes today](https://monitorworld.app/live/earthquakes-today): Every M2.5+ quake of the past 24 hours.
- [Earthquakes by region](https://monitorworld.app/live/earthquakes): All regions and every M5.5+ quake page.
- [Tsunami warning today](https://monitorworld.app/live/tsunami-warning): Latest US tsunami bulletins.
- [Earthquake near me](https://monitorworld.app/live/earthquake-near-me): Sort recent quakes by distance from you.