M6.1 earthquake - 225 km SSW of Vaini, Tonga
23888 d ago · 22 May 1961, 17:32 UTC 225 km SSW of Vaini, Tonga
What happened
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck 225 km SSW of Vaini, Tonga on 22 May 1961, 17:32 UTC at a depth of 70 km.
Earthquakes of this size are classed as Strong. Can cause damage in populated areas up to tens of kilometres away. This was an intermediate-depth earthquake, so shaking is spread over a wider, gentler area.
The nearest town in our records is Nuku‘alofa, about 230 km away in Tongatapu, Tonga.
Timeline
First reported by USGS
16 Oct 2026, 20:46 UTC
Community
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