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Vanuatu · Penama

M5.4 Earthquake near Labultamata, Penama (Vanuatu)

UTC time: 2026-10-09 13:51:43 UTC Local time: —

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M5.4 Earthquake near Labultamata, Penama (Vanuatu) · 2026-10-09 — Map showing the location of the epicenter
M5.4 Earthquake near Labultamata, Penama (Vanuatu) · 2026-10-09 — Map showing the location of the epicenter

About this earthquake

On October 9, 2026 at 13:51 UTC, a magnitude M5.4 earthquake occurred near Labultamata, Penama (Vanuatu). The hypocenter lay relatively close to the surface at around 10 km, increasing how strongly it was felt. Earthquakes of this magnitude can damage poorly built structures.

The event was recorded by USGS.

Details

ID
1209369baca0e32778a681eb92fbaf1a149947f9
Magnitude
M5.4
Depth
10.0 km
UTC time
2026-10-09 13:51:43 UTC
Local time
—
Country
Vanuatu
State
Penama
City
Labultamata
Village
Labultamata
Source
usgs
Coordinates
-15.53610, 168.14510
Temperature
25.5°C

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 10 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 10 km
Shallow
10 km
10 km — shallower than the regional average (93.6 km)
Regional average: 93.6 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

Estimated impact

Green No or minimal impact expected.
Estimated population exposed
IV 28'137
V 7'277
VI 1'643

≈ 1'643 people experienced strong to very strong shaking.

Ground shaking

VI
Strong · Intensity (MMI) VI
Strongly felt, light building damage possible.

Tectonic context

Located on the New Hebrides Plate.
Near the boundary New Hebrides ↔ Australia · about 195 km away

Nearby population centers

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

PlaceDistanceDirectionPopulation
Port Vila246.5 kmS35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Ambae Activity reported
    Distance: 37 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'496 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu
  • Ambrym Activity reported
    Distance: 79 km ·Shield(pyroclastic) ·Elevation: 1'334 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Vanuatu
  • Lopevi
    Distance: 110 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'413 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·Vanuatu
  • East Epi
    Distance: 130 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 833 m ·Last eruption: 2023 ·Vanuatu
  • Kuwae
    Distance: 149 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: -2 m ·Last eruption: 1974 ·Vanuatu
  • Gaua
    Distance: 155 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 729 m ·Last eruption: 2022 ·Vanuatu

Radius · 100 km

Nearby infrastructure

Up to 3 nearest sites per category

Airports

  • Sara AirportVanuatu · SSR · NVSH
    7.3 kmStraight-line distance
  • Longana AirportVanuatu · LOD · NVSG
    31.9 kmStraight-line distance
  • Lonorore AirportVanuatu · LNE · NVSO
    36.8 kmStraight-line distance

Source: OurAirports · Dataset date: 2026-10-05

This selection shows geographic proximity, not a hazard zone or confirmed impacts. Distances use recorded site coordinates. Sources & data dates

Comparison of seismic sources

4 sources currently report magnitudes from M5.0 to M5.4.

Measurements can differ because agencies use different networks and calculation methods. Values may be revised.

SourceMagnitudeDepthPosition difference
USGSM5.410.0 km0.0 km
GFZM5.410.0 km12.4 km
RESIFM5.010.0 km34.8 km
EMSCM5.335.0 km10.9 km

Vanuatu

Context for this earthquake

05 Oct 2025 – 05 Oct 2026 · M ≥ 3.0 · 85 Catalogue entries

Sufficiently reliable matching data are not currently available for a direct comparison. The area profile shows the available records and their limitations.

Open seismic profile

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#21
Earlier events M≥4106
Earlier events M≥551
Compared since2025-01-04

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

Strongest earlier events

M7.32026-03-30 08:44:13 UTC76.7 km48 km ENE of Luganville, Vanuatu M7.32026-03-30 08:44:10 UTC103.1 kmVANUATU M7.32026-03-30 08:44:08 UTC94.0 km###.# km ( ###.# mi) WSW (az= 251.1) from Quartzsite, AZ M7.32026-03-30 08:44:08 UTC86.3 kmVanuatu Islands M7.32026-03-30 08:44:08 UTC85.3 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)
606
Country (24h)
Vanuatu
1
Current earthquakes in
Magnitude Place Local time
No recent events available.

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