M5.2 Depth: 157.0 km

M5.2 Earthquake near Vanuatu Islands (Vanuatu)

UTC time: 2025-12-23 20:42:00 UTC Local time: —

M5.2 earthquake near Sanma on Dec 23, 2025 — map of epicenter and shaking intensity | QuakeMap24 — M5.2 Earthquake near Vanuatu Islands (Vanuatu) · 2025-12-23 20:42:00 UTC

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.2 earthquake was recorded near Vanuatu Islands (Vanuatu) on December 23, 2025 at 20:42 UTC. The earthquake originated at an intermediate depth of about 157 km. Events of this size can cause damage near the epicenter.

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

Details

Magnitude

M5.2

Depth

157.0 km

UTC time

2025-12-23 20:42:00 UTC

Local time

—

Country

Vanuatu

City

Sanma

Source

gfz

Coordinates

-14.67000, 167.19000

Temperature

27.5°C

Map

Depth profile

Intermediate

157 km

157 km — deeper than the regional average (111.6 km)

Regional average: 111.6 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 Vila361.5 kmS35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Gaua

Distance: 56 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 729 m ·Last eruption: 2022 ·Vanuatu
Suretamatai

Distance: 101 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 921 m ·Last eruption: 1966 ·Vanuatu
Ambae

Distance: 106 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'496 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu
Motlav

Distance: 123 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 411 m ·Vanuatu
Ambrym

Distance: 202 km ·Shield(pyroclastic) ·Elevation: 1'334 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Vanuatu
Lopevi

Distance: 239 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 hours0

First 24 hours0

First 72 hours0

Strongest subsequent eventM5.6

M5.52026-01-09 23:19:34 UTC123.1 kmTorba M5.62026-01-09 23:19:34 UTC115.5 kmTorba M5.62026-01-09 23:19:36 UTC115.5 kmTorba M5.22026-01-09 23:19:47 UTC103.7 kmTorba M5.02026-01-13 10:43:36 UTC66.6 kmPenama M4.72026-01-13 10:43:38 UTC64.1 kmPenama M4.72026-01-13 10:43:39 UTC64.3 kmSanma M4.62026-01-13 22:30:14 UTC5.8 kmSanma

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#17

Earlier events M≥480

Earlier events M≥535

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 UTC45.7 km52 km SW of Sola, Vanuatu M5.92025-05-28 08:57:48 UTC52.3 kmVanuatu Islands M5.92025-05-28 08:57:47 UTC53.3 kmVANUATU M5.82025-10-07 22:36:22 UTC145.2 kmVanuatu Islands [Sea: Vanuatu] M5.82025-10-07 22:36:19 UTC137.7 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)

718

Country (24h)