Nuku‘alofa, Tonga – The National Tsunami Warning Centre has issued a Tsunami No Threat Advisory following a magnitude 6.1 earthquake that struck southwest of Tonga this evening.
According to the advisory, the earthquake occurred at 6.44pm on 1 March 2026 (Tonga local time).
It was recorded at Latitude 21.9° South and Longitude 179.3° West, at a depth of 590 kilometers, with the epicentre located approximately 430 kilometres southwest of Nuku‘alofa.
Officials stated that, based on current seismic data, “a result tsunami wave is unlikely to affect Tonga.”
The magnitude remains provisional and may be updated as further analysis is completed.
The National Tsunami Warning Centre emphasised that this is the final message for the event unless significant changes occur.
Social media platforms lit up this evening with reports from residents across Tonga who say they felt strong shaking after an earthquake struck near the island nation.
One of the earliest social media posts came from Kaufaki Monukaeafe, who wrote in Tongan: “Mālō pē hao” — a phrase expressing relief, translated as “Thanks, we are just saved.”
His post drew immediate engagement, including a commenter who asked, “Was it big or small?”
Monukaeafe has not yet responded to clarify the strength of the shaking.
