Strong earthquake · March 8, 2026
M 6.0 Earthquake, 7 km WSW of Hihifo, Tonga
A magnitude 6.0 (mww) earthquake struck 7 km WSW of Hihifo, Tonga on March 8, 2026 at 09:28 UTC, at a depth of about 134 km (83 mi), according to the USGS. 8 people sent "Did You Feel It?" reports. The USGS PAGER alert level is green.
Updated May 22, 2026, 5:58 PM EDT (USGS snapshot)
This is not an early-warning system. For tsunami warnings see tsunami.gov; for emergencies follow local authorities.
| Magnitude | 6.0 mww (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Time (UTC) | |
| Local time at epicenter | Mar 8, 2026, 10:28 PM GMT+13 |
| U.S. Eastern Time | Mar 8, 2026, 5:28 AM EDT |
| Location | 7 km WSW of Hihifo, Tonga |
| Coordinates | 15.984° S, 173.854° W |
| Depth | 134.0 km (83.3 mi), intermediate |
| Felt reports | 8 "Did You Feel It?" responses · max reported intensity 3.4 |
| ShakeMap intensity | MMI 4.2 (estimated maximum) |
| Tsunami flag | No |
| PAGER alert | Green |
| USGS event ID | us7000s2yl |
Source: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, event us7000s2yl. Last updated by the USGS May 22, 2026, 21:58:40 UTC.
What the numbers mean
- Tsunami flag
- The USGS sets this flag for large events in oceanic regions. It does not mean a tsunami happened or will happen. Official tsunami warnings come from the NOAA Tsunami Warning Centers at tsunami.gov.
- PAGER alert
- An automatic USGS estimate of likely fatalities and economic losses: green (little or none), yellow, orange, or red (highest). It can change as more data arrives.
- Felt reports
- People who felt shaking can describe it through the USGS "Did You Feel It?" survey on the event page. The count grows for hours or days after an event.
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Other recent earthquakes within 300 km
| Magnitude | Location | Time | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| M 5.0 | 95 km NNE of Hihifo, Tonga | 0 sec ago | 10.0 km |
| M 4.9 | 104 km NNE of Hihifo, Tonga | 0 sec ago | 23.4 km |
| M 4.8 | 88 km WNW of Hihifo, Tonga | 0 sec ago | 156.8 km |
| M 4.7 | 134 km NNE of Neiafu, Tonga | 0 sec ago | 51.2 km |
| M 5.2 | 92 km NNE of Hihifo, Tonga | 0 sec ago | 10.0 km |
| M 4.5 | 61 km N of Hihifo, Tonga | 0 sec ago | 79.4 km |
| M 4.5 | 224 km SE of Hihifo, Tonga | 0 sec ago | 10.0 km |
| M 6.1 | 88 km NNE of Hihifo, Tonga PAGER green | 33 days ago | 36.0 km |
| M 6.3 | 140 km ENE of Hihifo, Tonga PAGER green | 61 days ago | 12.0 km |
| M 6.2 | 148 km ENE of Hihifo, Tonga PAGER green | 61 days ago | 10.0 km |
| M 6.2 | 121 km NE of Hihifo, Tonga PAGER green | 62 days ago | 14.0 km |
After an earthquake
Expect aftershocks. If you are near the coast and feel strong or long shaking, move to high ground right away without waiting for an official warning. Check on neighbors and follow instructions from local emergency officials.
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