M 5.3 in Tonga on 27 Dec 2012 09:42 UTC

Hazard models

EQ parameters
Shakemap
Tsunami

Event summary

This earthquake is expected to have a low humanitarian impact based on the magnitude and the affected population and their vulnerability.

Updated: this report is based on episode 1.

Earthquake Magnitude: 5.3M
Depth: 39.7 Km
Lat/Lon: -18.2972 , -173.554
Event Date: 27 Dec 2012 09:42 UTC
26 Dec 2012 21:42 Local
Exposed Population:
About 18000 people within 100km
Source: NEIC usc000egkq
Inserted at: 27 Dec 2012 10:01 UTC

GDACS Score

For more info on GDACS alert score click here.
  Earthquake GDACS score
NEIC 0.5 0.5
usc000egkq Scaled population (vector) n.a  
  C1 earthquake n.a  
  C2 earthquake n.a  
  Country Vulnerability n.a  
  INFORM_normalised n.a  
Maximum expected impact using different data sources.

Episode Timeline

IDAlertScoreDateMag, DepthMMI*Population**Tsunami risk***Delay (hh:mm)Source
121643 0.5 27 Dec 2012 09:42 5.5M, 40.5km N/A 20 thousand (in 100km) 00:16 NEIC
121644 0.5 27 Dec 2012 09:42 5.3M, 39.7km N/A 20 thousand (in 100km) 00:19 NEIC
The episode that generated the alert; the next major evaluations beyond 12 hours will not trigger additional alerts.
The episode that has the last updated information.
* The max MMI detected for sources having shakemaps;
** The population detected in MMI>=7 for episode with shakemap or in a 100km radius;
*** The tsunami max height.

Exposed population

The earthquake happened in Tonga , of Tonga (population 98,000) .

Radius Population
100 km 18000 people
75 km 18000 people
50 km <1000 people
20 km no people
10 km no people
5 km no people
2 km no people

Affected Provinces

Region Province Country Population
Tonga Tonga 98000 people

Critical infrastructure

Airports, ports, nuclear plants and hydrodams at risk, if affected, are listed below.

Airports

Name IATA Code Elevation (m) Usage Runway type IFR Runway Length (ft) Distance
Vavau International VAV 72 Civ. Unpaved Yes 5500 53 km

Ports

Name LOCODE Country Distance
Neiafu TONEI Tonga 59 km

More information

For a full list of available products related to this event, please refer to the GDACS Resources page.