M5.4 Depth: 226.9 km

M5.4 Earthquake near 38 km ENE of Port-Vila, Vanuatu (Vanuatu)

UTC time: 2025-08-22 12:52:57 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

On August 22, 2025 at 12:52 UTC, a magnitude M5.4 earthquake occurred near 38 km ENE of Port-Vila, Vanuatu (Vanuatu). The earthquake originated at an intermediate depth of about 227 km. Events of this size can cause damage near the epicenter.

The event was recorded by USGS.

Details

Magnitude

M5.4

Depth

226.9 km

UTC time

2025-08-22 12:52:57 UTC

Local time

—

Country

Vanuatu

City

Shefa

Source

usgs

Coordinates

-17.66470, 168.66880

Temperature

21.1°C

Map

Depth profile

Intermediate

226.9 km

226.9 km — deeper than the regional average (111.2 km)

Regional average: 111.2 km

Why depth matters

Intermediate-depth quakes are felt across a wider area but usually cause less surface damage.

Depth classes per USGS

Nearby population centers

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

PlaceDistanceDirectionPopulation

Port Vila38.5 kmW35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Nguna-Emau

Distance: 41 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 589 m ·Vanuatu
Kuwae

Distance: 94 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: -2 m ·Last eruption: 1974 ·Vanuatu
East Epi

Distance: 113 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 833 m ·Last eruption: 2023 ·Vanuatu
Lopevi

Distance: 133 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'413 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·Vanuatu
Traitor's Head

Distance: 135 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 817 m ·Last eruption: 1881 ·Vanuatu
Ambrym

Distance: 168 km ·Shield(pyroclastic) ·Elevation: 1'334 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·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

M5.22025-08-22 12:52:59 UTC4.0 kmShefa M5.42025-08-22 12:52:59 UTC1.8 km M5.62025-08-22 12:53:02 UTC31.3 kmVanuatu Islands M4.62025-09-06 05:35:18 UTC119.3 km98 km NNW of Isangel, Vanuatu M4.82025-09-06 05:35:18 UTC124.7 kmVanuatu Islands

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#6

Earlier events M≥471

Earlier events M≥523

Compared since2025-01-01

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

Strongest earlier events

M5.92025-05-11 11:22:21 UTC40.4 km M5.92025-02-10 00:09:42 UTC86.0 km53 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.72025-05-11 11:22:19 UTC69.8 kmVanuatu Islands M5.62025-08-22 12:52:56 UTC6.9 kmVanuatu Islands [Sea: Vanuatu] M5.62025-07-13 06:16:52 UTC76.2 kmVanuatu Islands

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)

654

Country (24h)