Earthquakes in Samoa — May 2026
1 earthquakes were recorded in Samoa during May 2026, an average of 0.0 per day.
1 reached magnitude 4 or above and 0 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 10 km.
The month's largest event in Samoa was a magnitude 4.9 earthquake near Gataivai, Samoa on 23 May 2026 at 23:54 UTC. A magnitude 4.9 earthquake radiates roughly 338 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
That is close to the Samoa monthly average of 1 events over the period we cover.
100% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 0% intermediate (70–300 km) and 0% deep-focus (over 300 km). Almost everything here is crustal. That is characteristic of transform faulting or continental deformation rather than subduction — and it means shaking at the surface is strong for the magnitudes involved.
By band, the catalogue holds 1 in the magnitude 4 range.
That is 20% below the 1 events Samoa averages per month across the 4 months on record.
Largest earthquakes in Samoa, May 2026
1 event listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.9 | Gataivai, Samoa | 10.0 | Samoa | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit Samoa in May 2026?
1 earthquakes were recorded in Samoa during May 2026, of which 1 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in Samoa in May 2026?
A magnitude 4.9 event near Gataivai, Samoa on 23 May 2026.
Other months in Samoa
Magnitudes for May 2026 reflect the current USGS review status and may have been revised since first publication. See our guides on the magnitude scale, focal depth and why earthquakes cluster.