Moderate M5.7 earthquake hits northeast of Hihifo, Tonga
A moderate M5.7 earthquake was registered at 22:26 UTC on March 22, 2026, approximately 155 km (96 miles) east-northeast of Hihifo, Tonga. The event occurred at a depth of 81.2 km (50.5 miles).
The coordinates of the earthquake, -15.4°S and 172.4°W, place it in the northern part of the Tonga region, an area characterized by its proximity to deep ocean trenches and island chains.
This earthquake was located offshore, in an area where critical infrastructure may include undersea cables, maritime routes, and occasional port facilities serving island communities.
There is no tsunami threat associated with this earthquake, based on its location and available data.
The significance index is 500 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), based on magnitude, felt reports, and estimated impact.
Tonga lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for high seismic activity due to the convergence of the Pacific and Indo-Australian tectonic plates. Earthquakes in this area are commonly associated with subduction processes along the Tonga Trench.
This information was last updated at 22:34 UTC on March 22, 2026.