Series of Magnitude 6 Earthquakes Strike Off Hihifo, Tonga, in One Day, Largest at 6.3
On March 22, 2026, a series of strong earthquakes struck in one day off Hihifo in northern Tonga, in the South Pacific. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) FDSN event catalog records a magnitude 6.2 earthquake at 06:15 UTC about 121 km northeast of Hihifo at a depth of about 14 km; a magnitude 6.3 earthquake at 15:30 UTC about 140 km east-northeast of Hihifo at a depth of about 12 km, the day's strongest; and a magnitude 5.9 earthquake in the same waters at 22:26 UTC.
The USGS issued green alerts for the sequence, indicating a low likelihood of casualties and damage, and the catalog carries no tsunami flag for the events. The epicenters were far from population centers, and no casualties or property damage were reported that day.
Tonga sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where undersea earthquakes are frequent. Two days later, a magnitude 7.5 deep earthquake struck west of Tonga, the strongest worldwide so far in 2026.
Related: Magnitude 7.5 Deep Earthquake West of Tonga Is the Strongest Worldwide So Far in 2026
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：汤加北部 Niuatoputapu 岛（左）与 Tafahi 岛（右）的卫星图，Hihifo 位于 Niuatoputapu 岛上，本次地震序列的震中在其东北海域。NASA 国际空间站照片，公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: A satellite view of Niuatoputapu island (left) and Tafahi island (right) in northern Tonga; Hihifo is on Niuatoputapu, and this earthquake sequence was centered in the waters to its northeast. NASA International Space Station photo, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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