M5.6 Depth: 207.4 km

M5.6 Earthquake near Vanuatu Islands [Sea: Vanuatu] (Vanuatu)

UTC time: 2025-08-22 12:52:56 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.6 earthquake was recorded near Vanuatu Islands [Sea: Vanuatu] (Vanuatu) on August 22, 2025 at 12:52 UTC. The earthquake originated at an intermediate depth of about 207 km. Events of this size can cause damage near the epicenter.

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

Details

Magnitude

M5.6

Depth

207.4 km

UTC time

2025-08-22 12:52:56 UTC

Local time

—

Country

Vanuatu

City

Shefa

Source

ingv

Coordinates

-17.62380, 168.71800

Temperature

21.1°C

Map

Depth profile

Intermediate

207.4 km

207.4 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 Vila44.6 kmW35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Nguna-Emau

Distance: 43 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 589 m ·Vanuatu
Kuwae

Distance: 91 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: -2 m ·Last eruption: 1974 ·Vanuatu
East Epi

Distance: 111 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 833 m ·Last eruption: 2023 ·Vanuatu
Lopevi

Distance: 130 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'413 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·Vanuatu
Traitor's Head

Distance: 137 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 817 m ·Last eruption: 1881 ·Vanuatu
Ambrym

Distance: 165 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 hours4

First 24 hours4

First 72 hours4

Strongest subsequent eventM5.6

M5.42025-08-22 12:52:57 UTC6.9 km38 km ENE of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.22025-08-22 12:52:59 UTC7.3 kmShefa M5.42025-08-22 12:52:59 UTC5.2 km M5.62025-08-22 12:53:02 UTC24.4 kmVanuatu Islands M4.62025-09-06 05:35:18 UTC122.5 km98 km NNW of Isangel, Vanuatu M4.82025-09-06 05:35:18 UTC128.5 kmVanuatu Islands

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#4

Earlier events M≥470

Earlier events M≥522

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 UTC46.1 km M5.92025-02-10 00:09:42 UTC90.3 km53 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.72025-05-11 11:22:19 UTC75.1 kmVanuatu Islands M5.62025-07-13 06:16:52 UTC83.2 kmVanuatu Islands M5.32025-07-13 06:16:50 UTC68.7 km45 km S of Port-Vila, 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)

658

Country (24h)