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M5.0 Earthquake near 202 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu

UTC time: 2026-10-20 00:38:28 UTC Local time: —
Magnitude
M5.0
Depth
10.0 km
Source
USGS

202 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu

Map

M5.0 Earthquake near 202 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu · 2026-10-20 — Map showing the location of the epicenter
M5.0 Earthquake near 202 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu · 2026-10-20 — Map showing the location of the epicenter

About this earthquake

On October 20, 2026 at 00:38 UTC, a magnitude M5.0 earthquake occurred near 202 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu. With a focal depth of about 10 km, this was a shallow earthquake, whose shaking is usually felt more strongly at the surface. Events of this size can cause damage near the epicenter.

The event was recorded by USGS.

Details

ID
21a55c1ea4fe9abb36c9175208a567b40dee2b79
Magnitude
M5.0
Depth
10.0 km
UTC time
2026-10-20 00:38:28 UTC
Local time
—
Country
—
Source
usgs
Coordinates
-14.01280, 165.51790
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
Why depth matters

Shallow quakes release energy near the surface — shaking is felt more strongly and damage potential is higher.

Depth classes per USGS

Tectonic context

Located on the Australia Plate.
Near the boundary New Hebrides ↔ Australia · about 72 km away

Nearby population centers

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

PlaceDistanceDirectionPopulation
Port Vila510.7 kmSE35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Suretamatai
    Distance: 212 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 921 m ·Last eruption: 1966 ·Vanuatu
  • Gaua
    Distance: 217 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 729 m ·Last eruption: 2022 ·Vanuatu
  • Motlav
    Distance: 235 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 411 m ·Vanuatu
  • Ambae Activity reported
    Distance: 292 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'496 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu
  • Ambrym Activity reported
    Distance: 374 km ·Shield(pyroclastic) ·Elevation: 1'334 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Vanuatu
  • Tinakula
    Distance: 404 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 796 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Solomon Islands

Comparison of seismic sources

3 sources currently report magnitudes from M4.9 to M5.0.

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

SourceMagnitudeDepthPosition difference
GFZM4.910.0 km22.3 km
EMSCM5.010.0 km0.0 km
USGSM5.010.0 km0.0 km

No unambiguous area assignment

Context for this earthquake

This event has no unambiguous country assignment in the analysed catalogue. It is therefore not assigned to a regional profile.

Earthquake overview

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#18
Earlier events M≥427
Earlier events M≥519
Compared since2025-01-26

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

Strongest earlier events

M6.22026-10-19 07:49:05 UTC21.3 kmVanuatu Islands M6.02026-07-24 21:37:56 UTC138.4 kmTorba M5.82026-10-19 18:52:36 UTC23.3 kmVanuatu Islands M5.62026-01-09 23:19:36 UTC124.6 kmTorba M5.62026-01-09 23:19:34 UTC124.6 kmTorba

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
611
Country (24h)
—
—
Current earthquakes in
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No recent events available.

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