The Fiji region has experienced a significant increase in seismic activity, with over 100 earthquakes occurring each month for the past three months. According to the Seismology Department, July alone recorded 170 earthquakes, up from 101 in June and 108 in May. In August, 27 earthquakes have already been documented.
The earthquakes have varied in magnitude, with the smallest recorded at 1.0 and the largest at 5.3. In June, the magnitude ranged from 1.7 to 5.5, with tremors felt in areas such as Rakiraki and parts of the Northern Division.
Fiji Seismology reported that four tremors were felt in August across locations including Rakiraki, Viti Levu, and the Northern Division areas of Labasa and Savusavu. The seismic activity is particularly concentrated in the Fiji Fracture Zone, which runs parallel to the coastline of Vanua Levu, as well as near the Hunter Fracture Zone off Kadavu and in Southeast Viti Levu around the greater Suva area.
Additionally, delegates at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting experienced a tremor when a 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit 72 kilometers west of Pangai, Tonga. Fortunately, no tsunami alert was issued following this quake.