M 5.1 Earthquake Recorded 151 km ESE of Labasa, Fiji

What Happened

A moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 mb was recorded on February 14, 2026, at 07:57:31 UTC. The seismic event occurred at a significant depth of 532.3 km, according to data from the USGS.

Location Details

The earthquake’s epicenter was located approximately 151 km east-southeast of Labasa, Fiji. The precise coordinates were determined to be 16.707°S and 179.245°W. With a depth exceeding 500 km, this is classified as a deep earthquake. Deep earthquakes occur within the subducting slab of the Earth’s crust and are generally felt less intensely at the surface than shallow events of the same magnitude.

Impact Assessment

According to the USGS, there have been no felt reports submitted for this event at this time. No tsunami advisory, watch, or warning has been issued (tsunami: 0). The event has been reviewed by a seismologist and assigned a significance score of 400.

What You Should Know

While a magnitude 5.1 event is considered a moderate earthquake, its extreme depth makes surface damage highly unlikely. Residents in the South Pacific region should always be prepared for seismic activity, though deep events like this rarely result in aftershocks that are felt at the surface.

Source

Data provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.