Moderate magnitude 4.4 earthquake at 485 km depth29 Aug 03:17 UTC: First to report: USGS after 16 minutes.I didn't feel itI felt this quakeEarthquake detailsDate & timeAug 29, 2025 03:01:12 UTC - Local time at epicenterThursday, Aug 28, 2025, at 03:01 pm (GMT -12)Statusconfirmed (manually revised)Magnitude4.4Depth485 kmEpicenter latitude / longitude20.4072°S / 177.5825°WFijiSeismic antipode20.4072°N / 2.4175°EAlgeriaQuality36 seismic stationsShaking intensityNot feltPrimary data sourceUSGS (United States Geological Survey)Nearest volcanoUnnamed 21.15°S/175.75°W (208 km / 129 mi)Weather at epicenter at time of quakeClear Sky 23.5°C (74 F), humidity: 74%, wind: 2 m/s (4 kts) from SSWEstimated seismic energy released2.5 x 1011 joules (69.8 megawatt hours, equivalent to 60 tons of TNT) | equivalent to ONE quake of magnitude 4.4 | about seismic energy33 minutes agoAug 29, 2025 03:01 GMT / Aug 28, 2025 03:01 pm (GMT -12)Lat / Lng: -20.4072 / -177.5825: 251 km WNW of Houma, TongaSource: USGSOther sources: IRIS: 4.4 / 485 km, GFZ: 4.6 / 463 km, 1 more...Detail info | You felt it? - Report it!';storedMarkers.push(['quake-22111970',-20.40720,-177.58250,'33 minutes ago: Mag. 4.4, 251 km WNW of Houma, Tonga',html,'quakes-6-24.png',25,25,12,12,125]); function mkRep(id,notFelt){var nFelt=notFelt||false;var src="https://www.volcanoesandearthquakes.com/app/earthquake-report.php?quakeId="+id;if(nFelt==true){src+="¬Felt=true";}window.open(src,"","status=0,toolbar=0,location=0,directories=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,scrollbars=1,height=400,width=350");} function locationHashChanged(e){-1!=e.oldURL.indexOf("#popupMap")&&closePopup()} window.onhashchange = locationHashChanged; function comment(e){var t=e.parentNode,a=(t.dataset.id,document.getElementById("commentForm"));"none"==a.style.display?(t.appendChild(a),a.style.display="block"):a.style.display="none"}function sendComment(e){var t=e.parentNode,a=t.parentNode.dataset.id,n=document.getElementById("commentContent"),p=n.value.trim();if(p){var o="id="+a+"&quakeId="+thisQuakeId;o+="&comment="+decodeURIComponent(p),mkRequest("//reports.volcanodiscovery.com/app/eqReportComment.php","post",o,function(e){e.responseText;alert("Thank you for submitting your comment!"),t.style.display="none",n.value=""})}}function flagReport(e){var t=e.parentNode.dataset.id;if(confirm("Report this as inappropriate?")){var a="id="+t+"&quakeId="+thisQuakeId+"&flagAsInappropriate=1";mkRequest("//reports.volcanodiscovery.com/app/eqReportComment.php","post",a,function(t){var a=t.responseText;alert(a),e.style.display="none"})}}function likeReport(e){var t="id="+e.parentNode.dataset.id+"&quakeId="+thisQuakeId+"&like=1";mkRequest("//reports.volcanodiscovery.com/app/eqReportComment.php","post",t,function(t){t.responseText;e.style.opacity=.5})}]]>[smaller] [bigger]Most recent quakes Top 20 past 24 hrs Quakes in FijiNearby placesThe closest larger town near the epicenter is Houma, a town with 2,100 inhabitants in Tonga, in 252 km (156 mi) distance to the east, but it is unlikely that the quake was felt there. DistancePlaceMax. shaking intensity(*)RegionCountry252 km (156 mi)E of epicenterHouma(pop: 2,090)I: Not feltTongatapuTonga261 km (162 mi)E of epicenterNuku'alofa(pop: 22,400)I: Not feltKolofo'ou, TongatapuTonga274 km (170 mi)E of epicenterKolonga(pop: 1,100)I: Not feltTongatapuTonga292 km (181 mi)E of epicenter`Ohonua(pop: 1,240)I: Not felt'Eua Prope, EuaTongaNotes:(*) Shaking intensity according to the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MMI) and estimated using seismic models.User-reports for this quakeThere are no user reports for this quake yet.If you felt it, be the first to report it!Compare Quake DataData for the same earthquake as reported by different agenciesThe more agencies report about the same quake and post similar data, the more confidence you can have in the data. It takes normally up to a few hours until earthquake parameters are calculated with near-optimum precision.MagDepthTime GMT2025-08-29EpicenterAgency4.4485 km302 mi03:01:12.7251 km WNW of Houma, TongaUSGS (United States Geological Survey)4.4485 km302 mi03:01:12fiji islands region0 km (0 mi) epicenter difference with USGSIRIS (Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology)4.59463 km288 mi03:01:10.58Fiji Islands Region21 km (13 mi) epicenter difference with USGSGFZ (German Research Centre for Geosciences)4.4485 km302 mi03:01:12.7FIJI REGION0 km (0 mi) epicenter difference with USGSEMSC (European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre)Aftershocks for this quakeNo aftershocks have been recorded so far. When aftershocks are detected, we will update this section.What are aftershocks?Larger earthquakes (above magnitude 5 or so) such as this one are usually followed by smaller ones known as aftershocks that occur in the same area during the days, weeks, months or even years after the main shock.[More info]What about this quake?Based on its magnitude, the fault that was active during the quake likely ruptured beneath a surface area of approximately 3 km2 (1 square miles) as a first-order estimate. The length of the rupture zone thus was probably around 3 km (2 mi).[More info]Recorded aftershocks, latest first (0 quake)Aug 28, 2025 03:01 pm (GMT -12)33 minutes ago4.4485 km0 km - This quake251 km WNW of Houma, TongaMain Shock (this quake)MoreMap of aftershocksEarthquake statisticsAverage number of earthquakesBased on data from the past 25 years and our earthquake archive back to 1900, there are about 142 quakes on average per year in the area near the epicenter of this quake (within 100 km/61 mi):Mag. 7 or higher: 0.09 quakes per year (or 1 quake every 11.4 years)Mag. 6 or higher: 0.28 quakes per year (or 1 quake every 3.6 years)Mag. 5 or higher: 5.6 quakes per yearMag. 4 or higher: 143 quakes per year (or 11.9 quakes per month)Mag. 3 or higher: 198 quakes per year (or 16.5 quakes per month)Mag. 2 or higher: 198 quakes per year (or 16.5 quakes per month)The area where this quake occurred has a very high level of seismic activity. It has had at least 11 quakes above magnitude 7 since 1900, which suggests that larger earthquakes of this size occur infrequently, probably on average approximately every 10 to 15 years.Number of quakes per yearPrevious quakes in the same area of this earthquakeThe earthquake occurred 5 days after a magnitude 4.6 earthquake had hit on Sunday, Aug 24, 2025, at 08:38 am (GMT +12 local time) in 20 km (13 mi) distance to the northwest:Mag. 4.6 earthquake 267 km WNW of Houma - Tonga - The strongest-ever (since 1900) recorded quake in this area measured magnitude 8.1. It had occurred 7 years ago earlier, on Sunday, Aug 19, 2018, at 12:19 pm local time (Pacific/Fiji GMT +12) in South Pacific Ocean, Fiji:Mag. 8.1 earthquake Fiji Islands Region - Aug 19, 2018 - Below is a list and map of larger or recent quakes that had occurred near the epicenter before this earthquake (within up to 100 km/61 mi distance, up to 300 km/183 mi for very large quakes above mag. 7). Filter and sort the list by magnitude or time.Max results102050100AllMagnitudeAll2+3+4+5+6+7+8+Time before48 hours1 week30 days1 year5 years30 yearsAny ageDate and TimeMagDepthDistanceLocationDetailsMapAug 24, 08:38 am (GMT +12)4.6507 km20 km (13 mi) to the NW 267 km WNW of Houma, Tonga I FELT ITInfoJul 31, 05:52 pm (GMT -12)4.2568 km96 km (59 mi) to the SW Fiji RegionInfoJul 16, 09:07 pm (GMT -12)4.8555 km79 km (49 mi) to the W Fiji RegionInfoJul 9, 08:39 pm (GMT -12)4.4556 km72 km (44 mi) to the NW Fiji RegionInfoJul 7, 03:02 pm (GMT -12)4.4547 km52 km (32 mi) to the W 296 km WNW of Houma, TongaInfoJun 12, 01:42 pm (GMT +12)4.4516 km39 km (24 mi) to the SW 276 km WNW of Houma, TongaInfoJun 16, 2023 07:06 am (GMT +13)7.2179 km292 km (181 mi) to the S 274 km SW of Houma, Tonga 11 reportsInfoNov 12, 2022 07:09 pm (GMT +12)7.0579 km86 km (54 mi) to the W Fiji Region 3 reportsInfoMar 7, 2022 05:34 pm (GMT +12)6.1582 km86 km (53 mi) to the W Fiji Region 1 reportInfoNov 11, 2020 12:48 pm (GMT +12)5.9415 km82 km (51 mi) to the N Fiji Islands RegionInfoSep 2, 2019 03:54 am (Fiji)6.6602 km96 km (60 mi) to the W Fiji Islands Region 5 reportsInfoAug 19, 2018 12:19 pm (Fiji)8.1566 km274 km (171 mi) to the N Fiji Islands Region 58 reportsInfoJun 22, 2015 09:28 am (GMT +12)5.9564 km88 km (55 mi) to the WSouth Pacific Ocean, 416 km southeast of Suva, Central, FijiInfoNov 2, 2014 06:57 am (GMT +12)7.0409 km88 km (55 mi) to the NSouth Pacific Ocean, 425 km southeast of Suva, Central, Fiji 1 reportInfoMay 24, 2013 06:19 am (GMT +13)7.4174 km292 km (181 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 295 km southwest of Nuku'alofa, Tongatapu, Tonga 1 reportInfoFeb 6, 2013 04:21 am (Universal Time)6.110 km81 km (51 mi) to the S near Magnitude 6.1, Near of NouméaInfoSep 16, 2011 07:31 am (GMT +12)7.3645 km242 km (151 mi) to the SW Fiji RegionInfoApr 9, 2007 02:24 pm (GMT +12)5.9593 km64 km (40 mi) to the NW Fiji RegionInfoJun 27, 2006 02:59 pm (Fiji)6.3570 km95 km (59 mi) to the NW Fiji RegionInfoJan 3, 2006 10:13 am (Fiji)7.2583 km82 km (51 mi) to the NW Fiji RegionInfoAug 15, 2003 06:23 am (GMT +12)5.9563 km70 km (44 mi) to the NW Fiji RegionInfoJan 4, 2003 05:15 pm (GMT +12)6.5378 km20 km (12 mi) to the SW Fiji regionInfoOct 22, 2002 11:39 pm (GMT +12)6.2549 km88 km (55 mi) to the W Fiji RegionInfoAug 19, 2002 11:01 pm (GMT +12)7.7580 km246 km (153 mi) to the SW Fiji RegionInfoMay 26, 2001 10:57 pm (GMT +12)6.4407 km30 km (19 mi) to the NW Fiji RegionInfoMay 20, 2001 05:36 am (GMT +12)6.0369 km57 km (35 mi) to the N Fiji regionInfoOct 14, 1997 10:53 pm (GMT +13)7.8167 km206 km (128 mi) to the SE 192 km WSW of Haveluloto, TongaInfoOct 20, 1996 02:53 am (GMT +12)6.9591 km97 km (60 mi) to the W Fiji RegionInfoAug 6, 1996 10:38 am (GMT +12)7.4550 km82 km (51 mi) to the SWSouth Pacific Ocean, 280 km south of Lakeba Island, Eastern, FijiInfoMar 10, 1994 11:28 am (Fiji)7.6563 km277 km (172 mi) to the NSouth Pacific Ocean, 45 km northeast of Lakeba Island, Eastern, FijiInfoJul 10, 1993 03:37 am (GMT +12)6.1398 km70 km (44 mi) to the N Fiji regionInfoJul 11, 1992 11:44 pm (GMT +13)7.2377 km246 km (153 mi) to the S South of The Fiji IslandsInfoSep 30, 1991 12:21 pm (Fiji)7.0566 km117 km (73 mi) to the SWSouth Pacific Ocean, 297 km south of Lakeba Island, Eastern, FijiInfoJun 9, 1991 08:45 pm (GMT +13)7.0266 km143 km (89 mi) to the ESouth Pacific Ocean, 133 km southwest of Tofua Island, Ha'apai, TongaInfoAug 26, 1987 06:56 pm (GMT +12)6.1569 km99 km (62 mi) to the SW Fiji RegionInfoOct 30, 1986 02:28 pm (GMT +13)7.2188 km176 km (109 mi) to the SESouth Pacific Ocean, 159 km southwest of Nuku'alofa, Tongatapu, TongaInfoJun 16, 1986 11:48 pm (GMT +13)7.1547 km229 km (142 mi) to the SWSouth Pacific Ocean, 369 km south of Tavunasici Island, Eastern, FijiInfoNov 15, 1984 05:52 pm (GMT +12)6.3348 km17 km (10.5 mi) to the E Fiji regionInfoMar 14, 1984 11:36 pm (GMT +12)6.0570 km62 km (39 mi) to the NW Fiji RegionInfoNov 30, 1983 11:41 am (GMT +12)6.0525 km103 km (64 mi) to the N Fiji RegionInfoNov 26, 1976 02:06 am (GMT +12)6.0442 km102 km (63 mi) to the N Fiji RegionInfoMay 22, 1962 09:15 am (GMT +12)7.4390 km38 km (23 mi) to the NSouth Pacific Ocean, 252 km southeast of Lakeba Island, Eastern, FijiInfoSep 29, 1957 02:20 am (GMT +12)7.4587 km81 km (50 mi) to the WSouth Pacific Ocean, 263 km south of Lakeba Island, Eastern, FijiInfoAug 6, 1955 08:31 pm (GMT +12)6.7360 km62 km (38 mi) to the S Fiji regionInfoDec 14, 1950 01:52 am (Universal Time)7.8216 km195 km (121 mi) to the NESouth Pacific Ocean, 85 km west of Tofua Island, Ha'apai, TongaInfoMay 25, 1944 01:06 am (Universal Time)7.3633 km233 km (145 mi) to the SWSouth Pacific Ocean, 380 km south of Lakeba Island, Eastern, FijiInfoApr 16, 1937 03:01 am (Universal Time)7.3330 km35 km (22 mi) to the SESouth Pacific Ocean, 308 km southeast of Lakeba Island, Eastern, FijiInfoAug 18, 1919 04:55 pm (Universal Time)7.2390 km27 km (17 mi) to the N Fiji Islands RegionInfoJan 1, 1919 03:00 am (Universal Time)7.8485 km132 km (82 mi) to the NWSouth Pacific Ocean, 145 km southeast of Lakeba Island, Eastern, FijiInfoDec 14, 1910 08:46 pm (Universal Time)7.0600 km79 km (49 mi) to the SW Fiji Islands RegionInfoApr 20, 1910 10:22 pm (Universal Time)7.0330 km76 km (47 mi) to the NE Fiji Islands RegionInfoJan 4, 1903 06:07 pm (Tongatapu)8.00 km273 km (170 mi) to the ESouth Pacific Ocean, 29 km south of Tofua Island, Ha'apai, TongaInfoMap of earlier quakes in the area of this quakeMax results102050100AllMagnitudeAll2+3+4+5+6+7+8+Time before48 hours1 week30 days1 year5 years30 yearsAny ageOldest quakes are shown in yellow, most recent in red.[quakes -][quakes +][smaller][bigger]