A major, 7.1-magnitude earthquake occurred in the South Pacific Ocean on Sunday, according to the United States Geological Survey. The quake prompted a “Tsunami Threat” from US authorities for shorelines on and near Tonga.
Preliminary reports indicated no threat to other Pacific shorelines.
The earthquake happened at 8:18 a.m. Eastern, approximately 56 miles southeast of Pangai, Tonga, according to the agency’s data. As seismologists review the available data, they may revise the earthquake’s reported magnitude. Additional information collected about the earthquake may also prompt U.S.G.S. scientists to update the shake-severity map.
Aftershocks in the region
An aftershock is usually a smaller earthquake that follows a larger one in the same general area. Aftershocks are typically minor adjustments along the portion of a fault that slipped at the time of the initial earthquake.
Quakes and aftershocks within 100 miles
Source: United States Geological Survey | Notes: Shaking categories are based on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale. When aftershock data is available, the corresponding maps and charts include earthquakes within 100 miles and seven days of the initial quake. All times above are Eastern. Shake data is as of Sunday, March 30 at 8:34 a.m. Eastern. Aftershocks data is as of Sunday, March 30 at 8:50 a.m. Eastern.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/03/30/world/tonga-quake-tsunami.html
