Moderate 5.3 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near Hihifo, Tonga
A shallow magnitude 5.3 earthquake was recorded 106 km north-northeast of Hihifo, Tonga, on February 11, 2026. No tsunami advisory was issued following the event.
What Happened
A moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 5.3 mb occurred on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 20:54 UTC. The seismic event was recorded at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers.
Location Details
The earthquake’s epicenter was located at coordinates -15.1196, -173.3102, approximately 106 km north-northeast of Hihifo, Tonga. The depth of 10 km is classified as shallow; shallow earthquakes (those occurring at depths less than 20 km) are typically felt more strongly at the surface than deeper events of the same magnitude.
Impact Assessment
According to the USGS data, there was no tsunami advisory issued (tsunami: 0) in connection with this earthquake. There were no felt reports submitted to the USGS at the time of the report, and no specific alert level color was assigned to the event.
What You Should Know
A magnitude 5.3 earthquake is considered a “moderate” event. While such earthquakes can cause damage to poorly constructed buildings, they typically result in little to no damage in well-built structures. Residents in the region should be aware of the potential for aftershocks, which are common following an event of this size.
Source
Information for this report was provided by the USGS.
Source: USGS Official Notice