The 2006 Tonga earthquake occurred on 4 May at 04:26:35 local time with a moment magnitude of 8.0 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of VII (very strong).

The previous large earthquake in Tonga, in 1977, was of a lower magnitude but resulted in more severe damage.

A likely cause is that the 2006 quake generated other frequencies that only resulted in resonance in small items.

[6] Since the earthquake occurred underwater, tsunami warnings were issued, but then lifted.

[11] Later analysis showed the earthquake to be a slab-tearing event and so less conducive to tsunami generation.