Back to map
M5.2 Depth: 10.0 km

M5.2 Earthquake near VANUATU

UTC time: 2026-05-16 14:07:55 UTC Local time: —
M5.2 earthquake near VANUATU on May 16, 2026 — map of epicenter and shaking intensity | QuakeMap24
M5.2 Earthquake near VANUATU · 2026-05-16 14:07:55 UTC

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.2 earthquake was recorded near VANUATU on May 16, 2026 at 14:07 UTC. With a focal depth of about 10 km, this was a shallow earthquake, whose shaking is usually felt more strongly at the surface. Earthquakes of this magnitude can damage poorly built structures.

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

Details

Magnitude
M5.2
Depth
10.0 km
UTC time
2026-05-16 14:07:55 UTC
Local time
—
Country
—
Source
emsc
Coordinates
-17.78870, 169.12780
Temperature
26.4°C

Map

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

Nearby population centers

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

PlaceDistanceDirectionPopulation
Port Vila86.4 kmW35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Nguna-Emau
    Distance: 90 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 589 m ·Vanuatu
  • Traitor's Head
    Distance: 108 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 817 m ·Last eruption: 1881 ·Vanuatu
  • Kuwae
    Distance: 124 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: -2 m ·Last eruption: 1974 ·Vanuatu
  • East Epi
    Distance: 146 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 833 m ·Last eruption: 2023 ·Vanuatu
  • Lopevi
    Distance: 165 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'413 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·Vanuatu
  • Yasur
    Distance: 197 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 361 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·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 hours8
Strongest subsequent eventM6.0
M4.92026-05-16 15:35:20 UTC30.0 kmShefa M5.02026-05-16 15:35:25 UTC14.6 kmVanuatu Islands M5.42026-05-16 15:58:04 UTC10.6 kmVANUATU M5.32026-05-16 15:58:05 UTC14.1 kmVanuatu Islands M5.72026-05-19 02:29:23 UTC116.6 km51 km SSW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M6.02026-05-19 02:29:24 UTC114.3 kmVanuatu Islands M5.92026-05-19 02:29:26 UTC120.5 kmVanuatu Islands [Sea: Vanuatu] M5.42026-05-19 02:29:30 UTC125.6 kmEvent of magnitude 5.4, near Nouméa (Monde) M4.82026-05-19 14:18:39 UTC92.2 kmPort Vila M4.82026-05-19 14:18:40 UTC96.7 kmPort Vila M4.72026-05-19 14:18:41 UTC84.6 kmPort Vila M4.92026-05-31 02:47:57 UTC133.9 kmVanuatu Islands

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#20
Earlier events M≥492
Earlier events M≥536
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 UTC89.4 kmVANUATU M5.92025-02-10 00:09:43 UTC148.3 km65 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.92025-02-10 00:09:42 UTC136.5 km53 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.72025-05-11 11:22:19 UTC119.4 kmVanuatu Islands M5.62026-04-02 23:22:14 UTC141.5 kmVanuatu Islands [Sea: Vanuatu]

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
621
Country (24h)
—
—
Current earthquakes in
Magnitude Place Local time
No recent events available.

Share