Magnitude 4.6 Light Earthquake Strikes Fiji Region

What Happened

A light earthquake with a magnitude of 4.6 mb occurred in the Fiji region on February 15, 2026, at 15:03:15 UTC. The seismic event was recorded at a significant depth of 596.5 kilometers (approximately 370.6 miles).

Location Details

The earthquake was centered at coordinates 19.6833°S, 178.139°W. This location is situated within the Fiji region, an area known for frequent deep-focus seismic activity. The recorded depth of 596.5 km classifies this as a deep earthquake. According to geological standards, earthquakes are categorized as deep when they occur more than 70 km below the surface. Deep earthquakes are typically felt over a wide area but are much less likely to cause surface damage than shallow events.

Impact Assessment

Based on the available data from the USGS, there was no tsunami advisory, watch, or warning issued in connection with this earthquake. The event received a “tsunami” value of 0. There were no immediate reports of the earthquake being felt by residents, and no damage or injuries have been reported. The lack of felt reports is common for earthquakes occurring at such extreme depths.

What You Should Know

A magnitude 4.6 event is classified as a “light earthquake.” While earthquakes in the 4.0-4.9 range can cause noticeable shaking and light damage if they occur near the surface, the significant depth of this specific event minimizes the risk to infrastructure. Residents in seismically active regions are reminded that earthquakes are routine geological occurrences and are encouraged to follow standard safety protocols.

Source

Information provided by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).