Tonga M7.0 to M7.1 Earthquake and Major Seismic Events of 2025: A Global Analysis
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) issued a tsunami warning for Tonga, estimating wave heights between 1 and 3.3 feet. The alert has since been lifted.
INDO-PACIFIC - On March 30, 2025, a magnitude 7.0 to 7.1 earthquake struck 56 miles southwest of Pangai, Tonga, at 12:18 UTC, making it the most notable seismic event recorded so far this year.
This report takes a close look at that quake, its aftershocks, and the brief tsunami warning that followed while also providing a complete rundown of all confirmed earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or higher worldwide in 2025 up to March 31.
Using data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), we'll be analyzing significant events like the magnitude 7.7 quake in Myanmar and the magnitude 7.6 event north of Honduras, along with the tectonic fault systems driving them. This analysis reflects seismic activity as of March 31, 2025, at 10:18 UTC.
Latest Earthquake: Tonga
A magnitude 7.0 to 7.1 earthquake hit 56 miles southwest of Pangai, Tonga, at 12:18 UTC on March 30, 2025 (01:18 local time, March 31, UTC+13:00). With a depth of 6.2 miles and coordinates of 20.6°S, 173.4°W, it was recorded by both USGS and EMSC.
Earthquakes can have varying magnitude readings based on the government monitor. Earthquake readings are also often revised as earthquake data is assessed.
Aftershocks:
A magnitude 6.1 quake struck 51 miles southeast of Pangai at a depth of 6.2 miles, hitting at 23:04:52 UTC on March 30, 2025.
A magnitude 5.8 event followed 53 miles southeast of Pangai at a depth of 21.7 miles, occurring at 23:33:48 UTC on March 30, 2025.
Several smaller quakes, ranging from magnitude 4.8 to 4.9, shook the area between 22:24:44 UTC on March 30 and 10:10:09 UTC on March 31, 2025.
Additional Context: The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) issued a tsunami warning for Tonga, estimating wave heights between 1 and 3.3 feet. The alert was lifted later that day, and messages sent to American Samoa, Hawaii, and New Zealand confirmed no major risk to those areas.
Other Recent Earthquakes (March 2025), Faultline Analysis:
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