Tonga: Magnitude-5.0 offshore earthquake occurs near Tongatapu May 23

Event

A magnitude-5.0 offshore earthquake occurred in the South Pacific Ocean, near Tongatapu, at 12:34 TOT May 23. The epicenter was about 190 km (118 miles) northeast of Nuku'alofa. The tremor occurred at a depth of approximately 10 km (6 miles), and weak shaking may have occurred through Tongatapu. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties because of the earthquake. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are possible over the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter. The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.