How frequent are earthquakes in Tonga?

Tonga has a very high level of seismic activity. Based on data from the past 25 years and our earthquake archive back to 1900, there are about 421 quakes on average per year in Tonga. Tonga has had at least 3 quakes above magnitude 8 since 1900, which suggests that larger earthquakes of this size occur infrequently, probably on average approximately every 40 to 45 years.

How many earthquakes occur every year in Tonga?

On average, Tonga has about 622 quakes of magnitude 3 or higher per year (Mag 4+: 422 quakes per year, Mag 5+: 75 quakes per year, Mag 6+: 4.4 quakes per year).

Volcanoes of Tonga (22)

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Significant volcanic eruptions: Tonga

In historic times, at least 15 volcanoes have been active in Tonga, including Home Reef, Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, and Metis Shoal (Lateiki) volcanoes. A total of 68 eruptions have been witnessed and documented since 1774.
The table below lists the most recent volcanic eruptions, significant eruptive episodes or related events in Tonga since 1900.

Date	Volcano	VEI	Region	Deaths	Damage
2015 Oct 2 - ongoing	Tofua Lofia crater	0	Tonga Islands
2024 Dec 4 -	Home Reef	?	Tonga Islands
2024 Jun 10 - Jul 4	Home Reef	?	Tonga Islands
2023 Oct 12 - Oct 19	Home Reef	1	Tonga Islands
2022 Sep 10 - Oct 17	Home Reef	2	Tonga Islands
2021 Dec 20 - 2022 Jan 15	Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai	5	Tonga, Tonga Islands
2022 Jan 15 (eruption 2021 Dec 20 - 2022 Jan 15)	Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai	5	Tonga, Tonga Islands	6	very heavy	Info
2022 Jan 15: A large, submarine eruption began at 1700 (0400 UTC) on 15 January from vents just below the surface of the ocean, generating an eruption plume of gas, steam, and some ash. According to news reports and social media posts, residents in Nuku'alofa (65 km S) heard multiple loud booms and saw a large expanding eruption plume that eventually covered all of the Tongan islands. According to the Wellington VAAC the plume had risen to 15.2 km (50,000 ft) a.s.l. by 1819; the top of the plume as seen in satellite images was at least 600 km in diameter by 1903. Significant ashfall was reported on populated islands of Tonga, 70-100 km E. News articles noted that some residents had difficulty breathing from the ash in the air. (reference #13113) $90.4 million estimated in direct damage to Tonga, [incl. $20.9 million damage to Agriculture]. The volcanic impact was larger than the tsunami impact on agriculture, with around 80% of the damage attributable to the volcanic impact, and 20% due to the tsunami (with some areas affected by both the tsunami and volcanic ashfall). (reference #13167) $118 million damages in Tonga (reference #1250) Two weather satellites were uniquely positioned to observe the height and breadth of the plume and together they captured what is likely the highest plume in the satellite record. Prior to the Tonga eruption, the largest known volcanic plume in the satellite era came from Mount Pinatubo, which spewed ash and aerosols up to 35 kilometers (22 miles) into the air above the Philippines in 1991. The Tonga plume was 1.5 times the height of the Pinatubo plume. (reference #13172) Time of main eruption is noted as 04:14:45 UTC on 15 January, based on seismic. (reference #1053) Note: damage for volcano taken from Ref #13167 stating that 80% of agriculture damage ($20.9 m) from volcanic impact Cited references #1053 National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) (1971 to 2013): Preliminary Determination of Epicenters (PDE), a weekly and monthly publication, National Earthquake Information Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Golden, Colorado, 1971 to 2013. #1250 Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) and the U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) (2001): EM-DAT: The OFDA/CRED International Disaster Database, Universite Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium, link #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). #13113 Global Volcanism Program (2022): Report on Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai (Tonga). In: Sennert, S K (ed.), Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 12 January-18 January 2022. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey. #13167 World Bank (2022): The January 15, 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai Eruption And Tsunami, Tonga: Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE) report. Published 07 February 2022. #13172 NASA Earth Observatory (2022): Tonga Volcano Plume Reached the Mesosphere. Retrieved 21 February 2022. Link #13271 International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) (2022): Emergency Appeal - Revised Operational Strategy: Tonga, Asia Pacific - Volcano & Tsunami. Published 24 July 2022. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2019 Oct 13 - Oct 22	Metis Shoal (Lateiki)	1	Tonga, Tonga Islands
2019 Aug 6 - Aug 8	Unnamed 50 km NW of Vava’u (Tonga)	3	50 km NW of Vava’u, Tonga Islands
2017 Jan 23 - Jan 31	Unnamed 20.85°S/175.55°W Submarine	0	Tonga, Tonga Islands
2014 Dec 19 - 2015 Jan 23 ±3 d.	Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai about 1 km SW of Hunga Tonga and 1 km E of Hunga Ha'apai islands	2	Tonga, Tonga Islands
2004 Mar 19 - 2014 Oct 18	Tofua Lofia crater	1?	Tonga Islands
2008 Nov 16 ±15 d. - 2009 May 16 ±15 d.	West Mata Prometheus and Hades vents	0	Tonga, Tonga Islands
2009 Mar 17 ? - Mar 22 ±1 d.	Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Hunga Ha'apai	2	Tonga, Tonga Islands
2008 Nov 16 ±15 d.	Tafu-Maka Maka	0	Tonga, Tonga Islands
2006 Aug 7 - Aug 16 ?	Home Reef	2?	Tonga Islands
2001 Sep 27 - Sep 28 ?	Unnamed 50 km NW of Vava’u (Tonga)	2	50 km NW of Vava’u, Tonga Islands
1999 Jan 8 or before - Jan 14 ?	Unnamed 20.85°S/175.55°W	1	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1995 Jun 6 - Jun 23 ±2 d.	Metis Shoal (Lateiki)	2	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1991 Jun 24 or before	Metis Shoal (Lateiki)	0	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1988 Jun 1 - Jun 3 or later	Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai 1 km SSE of Hunga Ha'apai	0	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1984 Mar 1 - Mar 5	Home Reef	3?	Tonga Islands
1979 May 10 or before - Jul 21 or later	Metis Shoal (Lateiki)	2	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1979 May 14	Curacoa 13 km north of Tafahi	1	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1973 Jul 11 - Jul 16	Curacoa 6.4 km SW of Curacoa Reef	3	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1967 Dec 11 or before - 1968 Jan 4 ±4 d.	Metis Shoal (Lateiki)	2	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1958 Dec 31 ±120 d. - 1960 ?	Tofua Northern part of caldera	2	Tonga Islands
1957 Jun 16 ±15 d.	Fonualei	?	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1951 Aug 21	Fonualei North-central part of the island	2	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1946 Sep 9 - Sep 17	Niuafo'ou North flank	2	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1943 Sep 26 - Oct 16 ±30 d.	Niuafo'ou SW flank	2	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1939 Jun	Fonualei Summit, W and SE sides	2	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1937	Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai	2	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1936 Jun	Fonuafo'ou	2	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1935 Dec 7 - 1936 Feb	Niuafo'ou South flank	2	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1933 Apr	Fonuafo'ou	2	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1932 Dec 1 ±30 d.	Unnamed 21.38°S/175.65°W	0	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1929 Jul 25 - Jul 26	Niuafo'ou West flank	2	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1927 Oct 4 - 1928 Sep	Fonuafo'ou	2	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1923 Jul 1	Unnamed 20.85°S/175.55°W	0	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1912 Oct 15 ±5 d.	Niuafo'ou West side, near Alele 'Uta village	2	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1912 Apr 29	Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai	2	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1911 Aug	Unnamed 20.85°S/175.55°W	0	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1907 Jul	Unnamed 21.38°S/175.65°W	0	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1906 Dec	Tofua Northern part of caldera	2	Tonga Islands
1906 Mar	Fonualei	?	Tonga, Tonga Islands
1906 Jan - Feb	Tofua Northern part of caldera	2	Tonga Islands

Remark:

Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.

Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Tonga FAQ

+When was the last volcanic eruption in Tonga?

The last volcanic eruption in Tonga was from Home Reef volcano in 2024.

+When was the first documented volcanic eruption in Tonga?

The first historically documented eruption occurred 1774 from Tofua volcano.

+How often do volcanoes in Tonga erupt?

Since 1774, Tonga has seen at least 68 historically documented eruptions. This means that a volcano erupts on average every 3.7 years.

+How active are the volcanoes in Tonga?

Tonga is volcanically relatively active: Since 1900, at least 13 volcanoes in Tonga have been active.Since 1900, Tonga has had 46 volcanic eruptions from 13 individual volcanoes. Volcanic eruptions have been recorded erupted during 53 years out of 126 as of now. This means, at least one volcano in Tonga has been in eruption in one in 2.4 years on average. The last volcano to erupt in Tonga was Home Reef volcano, which erupted in 2024, 5 months ago.

+When was the largest volcanic eruption in Tonga?

The largest eruption in Tonga in historic times was from Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano. It occurred during 2021 - 2022. It ranks as a plinian eruption with a magnitude 5 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale. Eruption of this size are often catastrophic on a regional scale.

Latest earthquakes: Tonga

In the past 7 days, Tonga was shaken by 1 quake of magnitude 5.1 and 3 quakes between 4.0 and 5.0.

A Magnitude earthquake occurred in .

Magnitude Earthquake -

Date and Time	Mag / Depth	Nearest Volcano / Location
May 19, 03:24 am (GMT -12)	5.1 10 km	208 km (129 mi) E of Unnamed 24.8°S/177.02°W	South Pacific Ocean, 360 km south of 'Eua Island, Eua, Tonga I FELT IT	Info
May 19, 01:11 pm (GMT +13)	4.3 370 km	72 km (45 mi) SW of Niuafo'ou	South Pacific Ocean, 347 km northwest of Neiafu, Vava'u, Tonga I FELT IT	Info
Sunday, May 18, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
May 18, 08:54 pm (GMT +13)	4.9 76 km	52 km (32 mi) N of Fonualei	South Pacific Ocean, 131 km northwest of Neiafu, Vava'u, Tonga I FELT IT - 1 report	Info
Saturday, May 17, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
May 18, 09:56 am (GMT +13)	4.7 93 km	49 km (30 mi) N of Fonualei	South Pacific Ocean, 126 km north of Neiafu, Vava'u, Tonga I FELT IT	Info

See Recent Quakes

Significant Earthquakes in Tonga since 1900

The deadliest earthquake in Tonga since 1900 was the magnitude 7.2 earthquake in

Tonga on Jun, 22, 1977. It resulted in 1 fatalities and 5 injured people. A tsunami was generated by the quake as well and contributed to its desctuctive effects. This was the most disastrous quake in Tonga ever recorded. This was also the most damaging earthquake that occurred in this time: total economic losses were estimated to the equivalent of $1.2 million US Dollars. An unknown number houses and other buildings were destroyed and an unknown number damaged.

Date	Mag	Region	Deaths	Damage
2006 May 3	7.9	Tonga Islands	0	light	Info
1977 Jun 22	7.2	Tonga Trench	1	light	Info
1977 Apr 2	7.6	Samoa Islands: Apia	0	light	Info
1919 Apr 30	8.1	Tonga Islands	0	light	Info

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K

All Quakes in History

Map

Oldest quakes (until 1960) are shown in yellow, most recent (from 2000) in red.

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Significant Earthquakes in Tonga FAQ

+Which was the deadliest earthquake in Tonga since 1900?

The deadliest earthquake in Tonga since 1900 was the magnitude 7.2 earthquake in Tonga on Jun, 22, 1977. It resulted in 1 fatalities and 5 injured people. A tsunami was generated by the quake as well and contributed to its desctuctive effects. This was the most disastrous quake in Tonga ever recorded.

+How many people were killed by earthquakes in Tonga since 1900?

Since 1900, at least 1 earthquakes claimed an estimated total of 1 fatalities in Tonga.

+How much damage did earthquakes cause in Tonga since 1900?

There were 4 damaging or deadly quakes during this period that caused economic losses of approx. $4.2 million US Dollars combined.

Volcano List

Ata Volcanic Complex

(Unknown 274 m / 899 ft)

[more info]

Curacoa

(Submarine volcano -33 m / - 108 ft)

[more info]

Feinga Seamount

(Submarine -393 m / -1289 ft)

[more info]

Fonuafo'ou

(Submarine volcano -17 m / -56 ft)

[more info]

Fonualei

(Stratovolcano 180 m / 591 ft)

[more info]

Home Reef

(submarine volcano -10 m / -33 ft)

Home Reef is a submarine volcano midway between Metis Shoal and Late Island in the central Tonga islands. It was first seen and reported to be active in the mid-19th century, when an ephemeral island formed.
An eruption in 1984 produced a 12-km-high eruption plume, copious... [more info]

Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai

(Submarine volcano 149 m / 489 ft)

The small islands of Hunga Tonga and Hunga Ha'apai cap a large seamount located about 30 km SSE of Falcon Island, approximately 65 km NW of Vuna Wharf, Nuku'alofa, and 70 km SW of Nomuka Island. [more info]

Kao

(Stratovolcano 1030 m / 3,379 ft)

[more info]

Late

(Stratovolcano 540 m / 1,772 ft)

[more info]

Metis Shoal (Lateiki)

(Submarine volcano 43 m / 141 ft)

Metis Shoal or officially renamed to Lateiki volcano is a submarine volcano midway between the islands of Kao and Late. It is frequently in eruption and has produced a series of ephemeral islands since the first confirmed activity in the mid-19th century. [more info]

Niuafo'ou

(Shield volcano 260 m / 853 ft)

[more info]

Tafahi

(Stratovolcano 560 m / 1,837 ft)

[more info]

Tafu-Maka

(Submarine volcano -1400 m / - 4,593 ft)

[more info]

Tofua

(caldera 515 m / 1,690 ft)

Aerial photo of Tofua (Tonga Ministry of Lands, Survey, and Natural Resources, 1990, published in Taylor and Ewart, 1997)

Tofua volcano is the subaerial part of a large frequently active stratovolcano. It forms the 8 km wide circular Tofua Island, dominated by the 5 km wide caldera containing a freshwater lake at only 30 m above sea level and surrounded by steep 300 m cliffs.
The island is kno... [more info]

Toku

(Submarine 21 m / 69 ft)

[more info]

Unnamed

(Submarine -331 m / -1086 ft)

[more info]

Unnamed 20.85°S/175.55°W

(Submarine volcano -13 m / - 43 ft)

A plume and discolored water from a submarine eruption were observed in January 1999. This unnamed submarine volcano, 35 km NW of the Niu Aunofo lighthouse on Tongatapu Island, was constructed at the southern end of a submarine ridge segment of the Tofua volcanic arc extending NNE to Falcon Island. The first documented eruptions took place in 1911 and 1923. An ephemeral island was formed during this eruption in 1999; prior to this the summit was 13 m beneath the sea surface. (Photo by B. Hutchins, 1999, published in Taylor, 1999, via GVP)

[more info]

Unnamed 21.15°S/175.75°W

(Submarine volcano -65 m / - 213 ft)

[more info]

Unnamed 21.38°S/175.65°W

(Submarine volcano -500? m / - 1,640 ft)

[more info]

Unnamed 24.8°S/177.02°W

(Submarine volcano -385 m / - 1,263 ft)

[more info]

Unnamed 50 km NW of Vava’u (Tonga)

(Submarine volcano -40 m / - 131 ft)

[more info]

West Mata

(Submarine volcano -1174 m / - 3,852 ft)

[more info]

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Tonga and Fiji Islands: volcano news & updates

Wed, 14 May 2025, 14:00

Home Reef volcano (Tonga) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 7 May-13 May 2025 (Continuing Activity)

The Tonga Geological Services reported continuing activity at Home Reef during 3-11 May. Moderate thermal anomalies were detected by the Middle InfraRed Observation of Volcanic Activity (MIROVA) system only on 4 May, though persistent weather clouds hindered observations. Infrasound instruments did not detect any signals. ... Read all

Wed, 7 May 2025, 14:00

Home Reef volcano (Tonga) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 30 April-6 May 2025 (New Activity / Unrest)

The Tonga Geological Services reported continuing activity at Home Reef with lava effusion and explosive activity at the main vent. A cone had grown around the vent and was 50-100 m high, based on a 26 April satellite image, and the vent had enlarged to about 175 m by 135 m in dimension. New deposits of material were visible on the W and SW flanks, nearly covering the lava lobes emplaced in November and December 2024. ... Read all