M 4.4 Light Earthquake Recorded Deep Beneath the Ocean East of Levuka, Fiji

What Happened

A light earthquake with a magnitude of 4.4 mb occurred on February 10, 2026, at 5:34 PM UTC (17:34:14). The seismic event was recorded at a significant depth of 516.3 kilometers.

Location Details

The earthquake’s epicenter was positioned at coordinates 18.1243°S and 178.262°W. This location is approximately 256 km east of Levuka, Fiji. Given its depth of over 516 km, this is classified as a deep earthquake. Deep-focus earthquakes occur at depths greater than 70 km and are often the result of tectonic plates subducting deep into the Earth’s mantle.

Impact Assessment

According to the USGS, there have been no felt reports submitted by the public for this event. There is no tsunami advisory, watch, or warning in effect (tsunami: 0). No specific alert level color has been assigned to this event, and the status is currently listed as “reviewed.”

What You Should Know

Earthquakes with a magnitude between 4.0 and 4.9 are considered “light.” While they are often noticeable when they occur at shallower depths, deep-focus earthquakes like this one are rarely felt at the surface and typically do not cause damage. Residents in the region should remain informed but can consider this a routine geological event for the Fiji area.

Source

Information provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.