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M5.3 Earthquake near 216 km W of Sola, Vanuatu

UTC time: 2026-10-24 04:19:39 UTC Local time: —

Magnitude

M5.3

Depth: 10.0 km
Source: USGS

216 km W of Sola, Vanuatu

Map

About this earthquake

On October 24, 2026 at 04:19 UTC, a magnitude M5.3 earthquake occurred near 216 km W of Sola, Vanuatu. The hypocenter lay relatively close to the surface at around 10 km, increasing how strongly it was felt. Events of this size can cause damage near the epicenter.

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

Details

29b092f6157640d15643d327b63ae008b88f6d7b

Magnitude

M5.3

Depth

10.0 km

UTC time

2026-10-24 04:19:39 UTC

Local time

—

Country

—

Source

usgs

Coordinates

-13.73250, 165.55100

Temperature

26.9°C

Depth profile

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 Vila534.4 kmSE35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Suretamatai

Distance: 207 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 921 m ·Last eruption: 1966 ·Vanuatu
Gaua

Distance: 220 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 729 m ·Last eruption: 2022 ·Vanuatu
Motlav

Distance: 229 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 411 m ·Vanuatu
Ambae Activity reported

Distance: 307 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'496 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu
Tinakula

Distance: 373 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 796 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Solomon Islands
Ambrym Activity reported

Distance: 393 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 hours18

First 24 hours30

First 72 hours36

Strongest subsequent eventM5.9

M5.02026-10-24 04:44:45 UTC59.4 km161 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu M5.02026-10-24 04:49:20 UTC16.4 kmVanuatu Islands M4.82026-10-24 05:10:34 UTC38.2 kmVANUATU M5.82026-10-24 05:23:41 UTC42.1 km182 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu M4.52026-10-24 05:35:54 UTC34.7 kmVANUATU M4.52026-10-24 05:37:46 UTC44.8 km175 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu M5.32026-10-24 06:04:16 UTC49.1 km174 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu M4.62026-10-24 06:20:56 UTC12.6 kmVANUATU M5.02026-10-24 06:52:02 UTC36.7 kmVanuatu Islands M5.22026-10-24 06:52:03 UTC13.2 kmVanuatu Islands M4.72026-10-24 06:58:03 UTC23.2 kmVANUATU M4.72026-10-24 08:20:01 UTC13.8 km222 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu

Comparison of seismic sources

4 sources currently report magnitudes from M5.3 to M5.4.

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

SourceMagnitudeDepthPosition difference

EMSCM5.310.0 km0.0 km

GFZM5.310.0 km17.8 km

USGSM5.310.0 km0.0 km

GAM5.432.5 km16.8 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#24

Earlier events M≥457

Earlier events M≥539

Compared since2025-02-03

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

Strongest earlier events

M7.22026-10-24 02:31:53 UTC17.8 km200 km W of Sola, Vanuatu M6.62026-10-20 04:20:37 UTC23.2 km195 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu M6.32026-10-24 02:35:57 UTC48.5 km###.# km ( ###.# mi) WSW (az= 252.9) from Quartzsite, AZ M6.22026-10-19 07:49:05 UTC30.5 kmVanuatu Islands M6.02026-10-24 04:12:08 UTC17.5 kmOffshore Vanuatu

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)

717

Country (24h)

—

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