M5.3 Depth: 47.2 km

M5.3 Earthquake near 24 km W of Port-Vila, Vanuatu

UTC time: 2025-01-26 06:13:38 UTC Local time:

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.3 earthquake was recorded near 24 km W of Port-Vila, Vanuatu on January 26, 2025 at 06:13 UTC. The hypocenter lay relatively close to the surface at around 47 km, increasing how strongly it was felt. Events of this size can cause damage near the epicenter.

The event was recorded by USGS.

Details

Magnitude
M5.3
Depth
47.2 km
UTC time
2025-01-26 06:13:38 UTC
Local time
Country
Source
usgs
Coordinates
-17.70010, 168.08720

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 47.2 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 47.2 km
Shallow
47.2 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 Vila24.3 kmE35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Nguna-Emau
    Distance: 39 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 589 m ·Vanuatu
  • Kuwae
    Distance: 107 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: -2 m ·Last eruption: 1974 ·Vanuatu
  • East Epi
    Distance: 118 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 833 m ·Last eruption: 2023 ·Vanuatu
  • Lopevi
    Distance: 135 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'413 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·Vanuatu
  • Ambrym
    Distance: 161 km ·Shield(pyroclastic) ·Elevation: 1'334 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Vanuatu
  • Traitor's Head
    Distance: 169 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 hours1
First 24 hours1
First 72 hours2
Strongest subsequent eventM5.9

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#1
Earlier events M≥415
Earlier events M≥53
Compared since2025-01-01

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

Strongest earlier events

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
658
Country (24h)
Current earthquakes in
Magnitude Place Local time
No recent events available.

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