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M5.3 Earthquake near VANUATU

UTC time: 2026-10-24 03:14:55 UTC Local time: —

Magnitude

M5.3

Depth: 10.0 km
Source: EMSC

VANUATU

Map

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.3 earthquake was recorded near VANUATU on October 24, 2026 at 03:14 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 event was recorded by EMSC.

Details

45574d165b18f68661d21f6429cc8f7bbbd6d8f3

Magnitude

M5.3

Depth

10.0 km

UTC time

2026-10-24 03:14:55 UTC

Local time

—

Country

—

Source

emsc

Coordinates

-13.99000, 165.83000

Temperature

26.6°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 Vila494.1 kmSE35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Suretamatai

Distance: 178 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 921 m ·Last eruption: 1966 ·Vanuatu
Gaua

Distance: 184 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 729 m ·Last eruption: 2022 ·Vanuatu
Motlav

Distance: 202 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 411 m ·Vanuatu
Ambae Activity reported

Distance: 266 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'496 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu
Ambrym Activity reported

Distance: 352 km ·Shield(pyroclastic) ·Elevation: 1'334 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Vanuatu
Lopevi

Distance: 389 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'413 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·Vanuatu

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

Events recorded after this earthquake within 150 km. They are not automatically classified as aftershocks.

First 6 hours22

First 24 hours35

First 72 hours41

Strongest subsequent eventM5.9

M5.32026-10-24 03:17:54 UTC31.4 kmVanuatu Islands M5.02026-10-24 03:51:34 UTC2.4 kmVanuatu Islands M5.72026-10-24 04:05:36 UTC30.2 km205 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu M5.82026-10-24 04:12:05 UTC27.0 km203 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu M5.32026-10-24 04:19:38 UTC41.6 kmVANUATU M5.02026-10-24 04:44:45 UTC20.0 km161 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu M5.02026-10-24 04:49:20 UTC29.2 kmVanuatu Islands M4.82026-10-24 05:10:34 UTC53.3 kmVANUATU M5.82026-10-24 05:23:41 UTC17.6 km182 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu M4.52026-10-24 05:35:54 UTC8.9 kmVANUATU M4.52026-10-24 05:37:46 UTC7.3 km175 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu M5.32026-10-24 06:04:16 UTC17.4 km174 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu

Comparison of seismic sources

3 sources currently report magnitudes from M5.2 to M5.5.

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

SourceMagnitudeDepthPosition difference

ISCM5.57.0 km18.6 km

EMSCM5.310.0 km0.0 km

GAM5.210.0 km20.7 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#25

Earlier events M≥471

Earlier events M≥544

Compared since2025-01-26

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 UTC25.4 km200 km W of Sola, Vanuatu M6.62026-10-20 04:20:37 UTC18.5 km195 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu M6.42026-02-14 02:27:37 UTC130.3 kmSanma M6.42026-02-14 02:27:37 UTC130.3 kmSanma M6.32026-10-24 02:35:57 UTC7.0 km###.# km ( ###.# mi) WSW (az= 252.9) from Quartzsite, AZ

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)

717

Country (24h)

—

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