5.8 earthquake centred close to Tonga, no threat [1]
Thursday, January 18, 2024 - 19:02. Updated on Thursday, January 18, 2024 - 19:10.
A 5.8 magnitude earthquake, felt in Nuku'alofa at 5:49 pm today, 18 January 2024, posed no tsunami threat, Tonga Meteorological Service, advised.
“Based on preliminary earthquake information, tide gauge readings and advice from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC), a small tsunami wave is not likely to pose a threat to Tonga. However, unusual sea currents will be experienced along the coasts,” Tonga Met stated in an advisory issued at 6:05pm. The earthquake occurred with the following parameters:
Coordinates: Lat: 21.9S Lon: 175.9WDepth: 158KM
Magnitude: 5.8
Location: 99km SouthWest of Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu
The National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) is not activated.
The earthquake lightly rocked homes in Nuku'alofa.