No Tsunami Threat to Hawaiʻi after 2 Quakes Near Tonga

Tonga/Fiji region earthquake, 11:08 a.m. HST May 23, 2013. Map imagery courtesy USGS/ powered by Leaflet.

By Wendy Osher

(Update:  11:23 a.m. 5/23/13)

There is no tsunami threat to Hawaiʻi after another earthquake this morning–this one smaller and closer to Tonga, that according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

The US Geological Survey reports the 6.5 preliminary magnitude quake occurred at 11:08 a.m. HST 5/23/13, 30 miles NNW of Nuku`alofa, Tonga.

The USGS says the quake was 444 miles ESE of Suva, Fiji; 456 miles SE of Lambasa, Fiji; 516 miles ESE of Nadi, Fiji; and 526 miles SSW of Apia, Samoa.

The quake comes after a 7.4 preliminary magnitude earthquake reported at 7:19 a.m. HST on Thursday, May 23, 2013.  That quake was located 174 miles SW of Vaini, Tonga, authorities reported.

Tonga/Fiji region earthquake, 7:19 a.m. HST, May 23, 2013. Map imagery courtesy USGS/ powered by Leaflet.

(Posted: 8:12 a.m. 5/23/13)

There is no tsunami threat to Hawaiʻi after a 7.4 preliminary magnitude earthquake near the Tonga and Fiji region,  according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

The earthquake was reported at  7:19 a.m. HST on Thursday, May 23, 2013 (or 5:19 a.m. May 23, near the epicenter).

According to information released by the US Geological Survey, the quake was centered: 174 miles SW of Vaini, Tonga; 177 miles SW of Nuku`alofa, Tonga; 441 miles SE of Suva, Fiji; 503 miles SE of Nadi, Fiji; and 507 miles SSE of Lambasa, Fiji.

The depth of the quake was reportedly 171.4 km deep, according to the USGS.