M5.1 Depth: 10.0 km

M5.1 Earthquake near Vanuatu Islands (Vanuatu)

UTC time: 2025-09-11 15:43:55 UTC Local time: —

M5.1 earthquake near Malampa on Sep 11, 2025 — map of epicenter and shaking intensity | QuakeMap24 — M5.1 Earthquake near Vanuatu Islands (Vanuatu) · 2025-09-11 15:43:55 UTC

About this earthquake

On September 11, 2025 at 15:43 UTC, a magnitude M5.1 earthquake occurred near Vanuatu Islands (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 GFZ.

Details

Magnitude

M5.1

Depth

10.0 km

UTC time

2025-09-11 15:43:55 UTC

Local time

—

Country

Vanuatu

City

Malampa

Source

gfz

Coordinates

-16.57000, 167.28000

Temperature

25.6°C

Map

Depth profile

Shallow

10 km

10 km — shallower than the regional average (112.7 km)

Regional average: 112.7 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 Vila170.0 kmSE35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Ambrym

Distance: 96 km ·Shield(pyroclastic) ·Elevation: 1'334 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Vanuatu
Lopevi

Distance: 114 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'413 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·Vanuatu
East Epi

Distance: 119 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 833 m ·Last eruption: 2023 ·Vanuatu
Kuwae

Distance: 135 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: -2 m ·Last eruption: 1974 ·Vanuatu
Ambae

Distance: 144 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'496 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu
Nguna-Emau

Distance: 150 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 589 m ·Vanuatu

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

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

First 6 hours0

First 24 hours5

First 72 hours5

Strongest subsequent eventM5.8

M5.02025-09-12 04:50:36 UTC25.2 km31 km SSW of Lakatoro, Vanuatu M5.02025-09-12 04:50:36 UTC24.5 kmVANUATU M5.02025-09-12 06:05:21 UTC21.6 kmVanuatu Islands M4.92025-09-12 06:05:24 UTC28.0 kmVANUATU M4.92025-09-12 06:05:25 UTC33.8 km30 km SW of Lakatoro, Vanuatu M4.62025-09-26 02:41:31 UTC128.9 km76 km NE of Norsup, Vanuatu M5.02025-09-27 07:17:14 UTC115.7 kmVANUATU M5.12025-10-02 14:00:33 UTC147.1 kmVanuatu Islands M5.82025-10-07 22:36:19 UTC138.1 kmVanuatu Islands M5.42025-10-07 22:36:20 UTC131.4 kmEvent of magnitude 5.4, near of Nouméa (Monde) M5.72025-10-07 22:36:21 UTC139.2 kmVANUATU M5.82025-10-07 22:36:22 UTC127.9 kmVanuatu Islands [Sea: Vanuatu]

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#7

Earlier events M≥450

Earlier events M≥514

Compared since2025-01-01

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

Strongest earlier events

M5.92025-02-10 00:09:43 UTC111.8 km65 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.92025-02-10 00:09:42 UTC121.4 km53 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.72025-05-11 11:22:19 UTC143.0 kmVanuatu Islands M5.32025-02-10 00:13:44 UTC119.9 km57 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.32025-01-04 22:23:37 UTC56.4 km7 km E of Lakatoro, 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)

583

Country (24h)