Shallow M6.2 FORESHOCK struck on Monday Night in the South Pacific Ocean 182km from Apia (Samoa).

Written by Earthquakelist.org on March 22nd, 2026. Last updated April 18th, 2026.

In the South Pacific Ocean 182 kilometer from Apia, Samoa, a shallow and strong Magnitude 6.2 foreshock occurred in the night of Monday March 23rd, 2026. Shaking may have been felt by a total of 250 thousand people. Another country near the epicenter is American Samoa.

Earthquake Summary

This earthquake hit under water in the South Pacific Ocean, 158 kilometers (98 mi) off the coast of Samoa, 182 kilometer southwest of Apia in Tuamasaga. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 10 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Mar 23, 2026 04:27 (Apia Time) - Mar 22, 2026 15:27 Universal Time.
Location:	182 km SW of Apia, Tuamasaga, Samoa. Coordinates 15°16'37"S 172°33'21"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 6.2 Detected by 18 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.052 .
Depth:	10 km (6 mi) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	V Moderate On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Low tsunami risk Earthquakes under MAG-6.5 do not usually cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 90% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 90% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact.

Roughly 250 thousand people exposed to shaking

An estimated 250 thousand have been exposed to shaking (An MMI or Modified Mercalli Intensity level II or higher) as a result of this earthquake according scientific estimates published by the USGS.

The highest earthquake impact level for this earthquake is IV, which corresponds with light shaking and likely no damage. Roughly 61,820 people are expected to be exposed to this level. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 180 thousand). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected.

People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Samoa , around 210 thousand people, with impact levels up to IV (light shaking, likely no damage). In American Samoa , around 40 thousand people.

People	MMI Level	Shaking	Damage
0	I	Not noticable	None
0	II	Very weak	None
184,100	III	Weak	Probably none
61,820	IV	Light	Likely none
0	V	Moderate	Very light
0	VI	Strong	Light
0	VII	Very Strong	Moderate
0	VIII	Severe	Moderate to heavy
0	IX	Violent	Heavy
0	X	Extreme	Very heavy

Nearby towns and cities

Samoa and American Samoa are both located within 300km distance of the epicenter of the earthquake.

Apia in Tuamasaga, Samoa is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 182 kilometer (113 mi) southwest of Apia. The intensity of shaking and damage in Apia is estimated to be around level IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (light shaking, likely no damage).

Overview of nearby places

Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.
Distance	Place	Intensity (MMI)
182 km (113 mi) NE from epicenter	Apia Tuamasaga, Samoa.	IV Light
228 km (142 mi) NE from epicenter	Pago Pago Eastern District, American Samoa.	III Weak

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is IV. The map below shows in which areas this earthquake was the most and least impactful. It is based on data from the US Geographic Survey.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Earthquake Intensity Map based on Shakemap Data provided by USGS.

This is likely a foreshock

This earthquake was followed by a stronger MAG-6.3 earthquake, classifying this earthquake as a foreshock.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

Detected MAG2.5+ earthquakes within within 100km (62 mi), that occurred in the three days before and after the main shock.
Classification	Magnitude	When	Where
Foreshock	M 4.4	9 hrs earlier Mar 22, 2026 19:07 (Apia Time)	35 km (21 mi) NW from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 6.2	9 hrs earlier Mar 22, 2026 19:15 (Apia Time)	37 km (23 mi) NW from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 4.4	9 hrs earlier Mar 22, 2026 19:31 (Apia Time)	49 km (30 mi) W from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 4.4	9 hrs earlier Mar 22, 2026 19:36 (Apia Time)	34 km (21 mi) N from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 4.4	8 hrs earlier Mar 22, 2026 20:11 (Apia Time)	27 km (16 mi) W from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 4.5	5 hrs earlier Mar 22, 2026 23:57 (Apia Time)	55 km (34 mi) W from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 4.6	1 hr earlier Mar 23, 2026 03:08 (Apia Time)	15 km (9 mi) E from Main Shock.
Foreshock This Earthquake	M 6.2	3 mins earlier Mar 23, 2026 04:27 (Apia Time)	12 km (8 mi) NE from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 6.2	3 mins earlier Mar 23, 2026 04:27 (Apia Time)	37 km (23 mi) W from Main Shock.
Main Shock	M 6.3	Mar 23, 2026 04:30 (Apia Time)	-
Aftershock	M 5.6	30 mins later Mar 23, 2026 05:00 (Apia Time)	62 km (39 mi) NW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 4.8	53 mins later Mar 23, 2026 05:23 (Apia Time)	54 km (34 mi) NW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 4.8	53 mins later Mar 23, 2026 05:23 (Apia Time)	54 km (34 mi) NW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 5.9	7 hrs later Mar 23, 2026 11:26 (Apia Time)	37 km (23 mi) SW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 5.7	15 hrs later Mar 23, 2026 19:02 (Apia Time)	35 km (22 mi) SW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 5.0	17 hrs later Mar 23, 2026 21:44 (Apia Time)	20 km (13 mi) W from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 4.3	20 hrs later Mar 24, 2026 00:40 (Apia Time)	49 km (31 mi) W from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 4.6	20 hrs later Mar 24, 2026 00:58 (Apia Time)	40 km (25 mi) W from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 4.2	21 hrs later Mar 24, 2026 01:25 (Apia Time)	41 km (25 mi) W from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 4.2	21 hrs later Mar 24, 2026 01:27 (Apia Time)	68 km (42 mi) NW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 4.4	21 hrs later Mar 24, 2026 01:44 (Apia Time)	24 km (15 mi) W from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 4.2	21 hrs later Mar 24, 2026 01:58 (Apia Time)	43 km (26 mi) W from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 4.5	1 day later Mar 24, 2026 12:07 (Apia Time)	80 km (50 mi) SW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 4.4	1 day later Mar 24, 2026 12:10 (Apia Time)	86 km (53 mi) SW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 4.9	1 day later Mar 24, 2026 13:30 (Apia Time)	86 km (54 mi) S from Main Shock.

More earthquakes coming?

Earthquakes can create aftershocks. These are generally at least 1 magnitude lower than any main shock, and as time passes the chance and strength of aftershocks decreases.

It's always adviced to be cautious of the risk of a larger shock following any significant earthquake, however this risk is fairly small. There is a roughly 94 percent change that no larger main shock will follow in the days following this earthquake.

Read: How to Stay Safe during an Earthquake (cdc.gov).

This is the strongest earthquake in 3 years

Earthquakes of this strength occur quite regularly in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since May 10th, 2023, when a 7.6 magnitude earthquake hit 211 km (131 mi) further west. That was also the heaviest earthquake to hit the region in the past 10 years.

In total, 3 earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.2 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 3 years.

Low tsunami risk

DISCLAIMER: We strongly suggest to closely monitor advice from local authorities with regards to tsunami risks. Our analysis is based on automatically collected data from external sources, and these might contain mistakes. In addition, earthquakes can cause landslides that may lead to a tsunami, or be a followed by another, potentially stonger, earthquake.

Based on early data it appears this earthquake was not strong enough (lower than MAG-6.5) to be likely to cause destructive tsunami's. However this earthquake appeared to have hit at a shallow depth under sea, so stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Factor	Under Sea?	MAG-6.5 or stronger?	Shallow depth?
Explanation	Almost all tsunami's are caused by earthquakes with their epicenter under sea or very near the sea. However stay cautious in coastal areas as earthquakes on land may cause landslides into sea, potentially still causing a local tsunami.	Under MAG 6.5: Very unlikely to cause a tsunami. MAG 6.5 to 7.5: Destructive tsunami's do occur, but are uncommon. Likely to observe small sea level changes. MAG 7.6+: Earthquakes with these magnitudes might produce destructive tsunami's.	Most destructive tsunami's are caused by shallow earthquakes with a depth between 0 and 100km under the surface of the earth. Deeper tsunami's are unlikely to displace to ocean floor.
This Earthquake	This earthquake appears to have struck under the sea.	Not this earthquake. This earthquake had a magnitude of 6.2. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.	This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 10 km (6 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami.

Sources

Last updated 18/04/26 01:08 (). As more information on this earthquake becomes available this article will be updated. This article is automatically composed based on data originating from multiple sources.