M5.1 Depth: 10.0 km

M5.1 Earthquake near Vanuatu Islands (Vanuatu)

UTC time: 2025-05-03 15:49:02 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

On May 3, 2025 at 15:49 UTC, a magnitude M5.1 earthquake occurred near Vanuatu Islands (Vanuatu). 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 GFZ and cross-checked across seismological networks.

Details

Magnitude

M5.1

Depth

10.0 km

UTC time

2025-05-03 15:49:02 UTC

Local time

—

Country

Vanuatu

City

Shefa

Source

gfz

Coordinates

-17.41000, 168.32000

Map

Depth profile

Shallow

10 km

10 km — shallower than the regional average (111.2 km)

Regional average: 111.2 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 Vila36.3 kmS35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Nguna-Emau

Distance: 6 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 589 m ·Vanuatu
Kuwae

Distance: 68 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: -2 m ·Last eruption: 1974 ·Vanuatu
East Epi

Distance: 82 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 833 m ·Last eruption: 2023 ·Vanuatu
Lopevi

Distance: 100 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'413 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·Vanuatu
Ambrym

Distance: 131 km ·Shield(pyroclastic) ·Elevation: 1'334 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Vanuatu
Traitor's Head

Distance: 178 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 817 m ·Last eruption: 1881 ·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 eventM5.9

M5.72025-05-11 11:22:19 UTC42.3 kmVanuatu Islands M5.92025-05-11 11:22:21 UTC32.0 km M5.02025-05-11 17:38:27 UTC97.3 kmVanuatu Islands M4.72025-05-11 17:38:36 UTC43.3 km M4.62025-06-02 07:25:18 UTC89.1 kmVanuatu Islands M4.72025-06-02 07:25:22 UTC96.1 km62 km SSW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M4.72025-06-02 07:25:22 UTC97.7 km

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#6

Earlier events M≥446

Earlier events M≥511

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 00:09:42 UTC48.2 km53 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.32025-02-10 00:16:03 UTC62.5 km70 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.32025-02-10 00:13:44 UTC53.9 km57 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.32025-01-26 06:13:38 UTC40.6 km24 km W of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.22025-02-08 09:24:13 UTC148.8 km55 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)

658

Country (24h)