QQuakeFacts

Data last collected:

USGS usp000amwt

23 Aug 2001, 03:44

176 km SSW of Matavai, Samoa

A magnitude 5.2 mwc earthquake at 33 km depth.

Depth33 kmPublished hypocentral depth
Tsunami flagNot flaggedUSGS catalog flag, not a current warning
Updated19 December 2025Latest timestamp stored in this record

Published location

Where is 176 km SSW of Matavai, Samoa?

This locator uses the coordinates in the approved source record. It shows geographic context, not a site boundary, safety zone or property-risk area.

-15.570000, -172.066000

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What the numbers mean

Magnitude measures event size; depth locates the source below the surface. Neither value alone establishes local damage or personal risk.

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Nearby events with a similar magnitude

Catalog fields and provenance
Event ID
usp000amwt
Coordinates
-15.57, -172.066
Network
us
Significance
416

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Questions this evidence can answer

01What exactly is this record?

Use the name, place, date and identifiers above to confirm that you have the right 176 km SSW of Matavai, Samoa earthquake: magnitude 5.2 and depth | QuakeFacts record.

02What does the evidence establish?

Read the reported values with their units, coverage dates and source notes. Keep observed facts separate from estimates or interpretation.

03What should I verify next?

Follow the primary-source links and check the limitations before using this evidence for a decision, comparison or citation.

A closer look at 176 km SSW of Matavai, Samoa

Depth in another unit

The recorded event depth of 33 km is approximately 20.51 miles below the source reference surface. Depth alone does not describe damage or local hazard.

Interpreting the recorded coordinates

The published position for 176 km SSW of Matavai, Samoa is 15.57° south and 172.066° west. This expresses the source coordinates in hemispheres; it does not establish an entrance, public access or a safe route.

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