M5.6 Depth: 10.0 km

M5.6 Earthquake near VANUATU (Vanuatu)

UTC time: 2025-12-07 12:16:15 UTC Local time: —

M5.6 earthquake near Sanma on Dec 7, 2025 — map of epicenter and shaking intensity | QuakeMap24 — M5.6 Earthquake near VANUATU (Vanuatu) · 2025-12-07 12:16:15 UTC

About this earthquake

On December 7, 2025 at 12:16 UTC, a magnitude M5.6 earthquake occurred near VANUATU (Vanuatu). With a focal depth of about 10 km, this was a shallow earthquake, whose shaking is usually felt more strongly at the surface. Events of this size can cause damage near the epicenter.

The data is provided by EMSC and cross-checked across seismological networks.

Details

Magnitude

M5.6

Depth

10.0 km

UTC time

2025-12-07 12:16:15 UTC

Local time

—

Country

Vanuatu

City

Sanma

Source

emsc

Coordinates

-14.77850, 166.60720

Temperature

30.5°C

Map

Depth profile

Shallow

10 km

10 km — shallower than the regional average (111.6 km)

Regional average: 111.6 km

Why depth matters

Shallow quakes release energy near the surface — shaking is felt more strongly and damage potential is higher.

Depth classes per USGS

Nearby population centers

Distances are straight-line distances from the epicenter. Population data: GeoNames.

PlaceDistanceDirectionPopulation

Port Vila376.0 kmSE35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Gaua

Distance: 112 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 729 m ·Last eruption: 2022 ·Vanuatu
Suretamatai

Distance: 143 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 921 m ·Last eruption: 1966 ·Vanuatu
Ambae

Distance: 148 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'496 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu
Motlav

Distance: 168 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 411 m ·Vanuatu
Ambrym

Distance: 230 km ·Shield(pyroclastic) ·Elevation: 1'334 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Vanuatu
Lopevi

Distance: 268 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'413 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·Vanuatu

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

Events recorded after this earthquake within 150 km. They are not automatically classified as aftershocks.

First 6 hours3

First 24 hours3

First 72 hours3

Strongest subsequent eventM5.6

M5.22025-12-07 12:16:18 UTC19.6 kmEvent of magnitude 5.2, near of Nouméa (Monde) M4.82025-12-07 13:25:10 UTC8.1 kmVanuatu Islands M4.92025-12-07 13:25:14 UTC25.1 km39 km W of Port-Olry, Vanuatu M4.52025-12-23 20:41:56 UTC60.6 km38 km NNE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu M5.62025-12-23 20:41:59 UTC60.6 kmVANUATU M5.62025-12-23 20:42:00 UTC60.6 km38 km NNE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu M5.22025-12-23 20:42:00 UTC63.8 kmVanuatu Islands

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#4

Earlier events M≥455

Earlier events M≥524

Compared since2025-01-04

The QuakeMap24 comparison dataset begins on 2024-03-23. Earlier earthquakes may not be included.

Strongest earlier events

M5.92025-05-28 08:57:48 UTC91.8 km52 km SW of Sola, Vanuatu M5.92025-05-28 08:57:48 UTC99.6 kmVanuatu Islands M5.92025-05-28 08:57:47 UTC101.0 kmVANUATU M5.62025-12-07 12:16:14 UTC19.5 kmVanuatu Islands M5.52025-09-27 08:10:53 UTC109.4 km96 km W of Sola, Vanuatu

Historic earthquake map · Vanuatu

Open history map

Explore recent and long-term earthquake activity in this country. Use filters to narrow down by magnitude, depth, and date range.

Country statistics · Vanuatu

Country overview

View earthquake KPIs, strongest and latest events, and averages for this country.

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)

733

Country (24h)