M6.0 earthquake near Nuku‘alofa, Tongatapu
10316 d ago · 19 Jul 1998, 15:58 UTC 95 km SW of Vaini, Tonga
What happened
A magnitude 6 earthquake struck 95 km SW of Vaini, Tonga on 19 Jul 1998, 15:58 UTC at a depth of 72 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 99 km away in Tongatapu, Tonga.
Timeline
First reported by USGS
16 Oct 2026, 20:46 UTC
Community
Did you feel it?
Nearby in the last 30 days
- 5.9
M5.9 earthquake - Fiji region
585 km deep
Strong - 4.7
M4.7 earthquake - 156 km ESE of Neiafu, Tonga
10 km deep
Moderate - 4.6
M4.6 earthquake - 260 km WNW of Houma, Tonga
513 km deep
Moderate - 4.6
M4.6 earthquake - 268 km WNW of Houma, Tonga
560 km deep
Moderate - 4.9
M4.9 earthquake - south of the Fiji Islands
130 km deep
Moderate - 4.6
M4.6 earthquake - 293 km SSW of Houma, Tonga
94 km deep
Moderate - 5.0
M5.0 earthquake - 71 km E of ‘Ohonua, Tonga
10 km deep
Strong - 4.9
M4.9 earthquake - 145 km ESE of Neiafu, Tonga
10 km deep
Moderate - 4.7
M4.7 earthquake - 50 km N of Fangale’ounga, Tonga
57 km deep
Moderate - 5.4
M5.4 earthquake - 99 km SSE of Pangai, Tonga
10 km deep
Strong