M5.3 Depth: 119.7 km

M5.3 Earthquake near 64 km WSW of Sola, Vanuatu

UTC time: 2025-03-22 12:51:43 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.3 earthquake was recorded near 64 km WSW of Sola, Vanuatu on March 22, 2025 at 12:51 UTC. At around 120 km, the focal depth places this among intermediate-depth events. Earthquakes of this magnitude can damage poorly built structures.

The event was recorded by USGS.

Details

Magnitude

M5.3

Depth

119.7 km

UTC time

2025-03-22 12:51:43 UTC

Local time

—

Country

—

Source

usgs

Coordinates

-14.07760, 166.99150

Map

Depth profile

Intermediate

119.7 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 Vila430.7 kmS35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Suretamatai

Distance: 60 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 921 m ·Last eruption: 1966 ·Vanuatu
Gaua

Distance: 61 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 729 m ·Last eruption: 2022 ·Vanuatu
Motlav

Distance: 86 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 411 m ·Vanuatu
Ambae

Distance: 172 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'496 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu
Ambrym

Distance: 270 km ·Shield(pyroclastic) ·Elevation: 1'334 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Vanuatu
Lopevi

Distance: 307 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 hours0

First 24 hours0

First 72 hours0

Strongest subsequent eventM4.6

M4.62025-04-20 15:15:05 UTC44.8 km73 km WNW of Sola, Vanuatu

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#1

Earlier events M≥418

Earlier events M≥51

Compared since2025-01-04

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

Strongest earlier events

M5.02025-03-05 18:05:02 UTC137.9 km140 km NW of Sola, Vanuatu M4.92025-03-20 03:24:48 UTC93.4 km20 km NE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu M4.82025-01-17 17:34:33 UTC99.2 km52 km ENE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu M4.62025-02-20 14:36:22 UTC141.1 km135 km NNW of Sola, Vanuatu M4.52025-02-01 08:41:28 UTC65.4 km48 km S of Sola, Vanuatu

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)

700

Country (24h)

—

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