Magnitude 5.4 earthquake strikes near Neiafu, Vava'u, Tonga

A magnitude 5.4 earthquake near Neiafu, Vava'u, Tonga, was reported only 18 minutes ago by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), considered one of the key international agencies monitoring seismic activity worldwide. The earthquake occurred at a moderately shallow depth of 49. km beneath the epicenter after midnight on Wednesday, September 9th, 2026, at 12:51 am local time. The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their reports.
Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake was probably felt by many people in the area of the epicenter. It should not have caused significant damage, other than objects falling from shelves, broken windows, etc.
Weak shaking might have been felt in Leimatu'a (pop. 1,400), located 37 km from the epicenter; Longomapu (pop. 570), 38 km away; Ta'anea (pop. 650), 40 km away; and Neiafu (pop. 3,800), 42 km away.
VolcanoDiscovery will automatically update the magnitude and depth if they change and follow up if other significant news about the quake becomes available. If you’re in the area, please send us your experience through our reporting mechanism, either online or via our mobile app. This will help us provide more first-hand updates to anyone around the globe who wants to know more about this quake.

Earthquake data:
Date & time: Sep 9, 2026 12:51 am (Tongatapu time) local time (8 Sep 2026 11:51 GMT)
Magnitude: 5.4
Hypocenter depth: 49.00 km
Epicenter coordinates: 18.33°S / 174.18°W (Tonga)
Primary data source: EMSC
https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/earthquakes/news/344042/Magnitude-54-earthquake-strikes-near-Neiafu-Vava-u-Tonga.html