M5.2 Depth: 145.0 km

M5.2 Earthquake near Vanuatu Islands (Vanuatu)

UTC time: 2025-08-17 05:06:27 UTC Local time: —

M5.2 earthquake near Sanma on Aug 17, 2025 — map of epicenter and shaking intensity | QuakeMap24 — M5.2 Earthquake near Vanuatu Islands (Vanuatu) · 2025-08-17 05:06:27 UTC

About this earthquake

On August 17, 2025 at 05:06 UTC, a magnitude M5.2 earthquake occurred near Vanuatu Islands (Vanuatu). At around 145 km, the focal depth places this among intermediate-depth events. Events of this size can cause damage near the epicenter.

The event was recorded by GFZ.

Details

Magnitude

M5.2

Depth

145.0 km

UTC time

2025-08-17 05:06:27 UTC

Local time

—

Country

Vanuatu

City

Sanma

Source

gfz

Coordinates

-14.93000, 167.34000

Temperature

26.9°C

Map

Depth profile

Intermediate

145 km

145 km — deeper than the regional average (111.6 km)

Regional average: 111.6 km

Why depth matters

Intermediate-depth quakes are felt across a wider area but usually cause less surface damage.

Depth classes per USGS

Nearby population centers

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

PlaceDistanceDirectionPopulation

Port Vila328.9 kmS35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Ambae

Distance: 74 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'496 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu
Gaua

Distance: 75 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 729 m ·Last eruption: 2022 ·Vanuatu
Suretamatai

Distance: 126 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 921 m ·Last eruption: 1966 ·Vanuatu
Motlav

Distance: 145 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 411 m ·Vanuatu
Ambrym

Distance: 169 km ·Shield(pyroclastic) ·Elevation: 1'334 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Vanuatu
Lopevi

Distance: 206 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'413 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·Vanuatu

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#7

Earlier events M≥444

Earlier events M≥513

Compared since2025-01-04

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

Strongest earlier events

M5.92025-05-28 08:57:48 UTC74.0 km52 km SW of Sola, Vanuatu M5.92025-05-28 08:57:48 UTC79.0 kmVanuatu Islands M5.92025-05-28 08:57:47 UTC79.7 kmVANUATU M5.32025-06-11 08:19:41 UTC99.7 km M5.32025-03-22 12:51:43 UTC101.9 km64 km WSW of Sola, 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)

734

Country (24h)