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Vanuatu · Sanma

M6.2 Earthquake near Sanma (Vanuatu)

UTC time: 2026-10-29 21:46:45 UTC Local time: —
Earthquake newsQuakeMap24
First published: Content updated:

Automatically generated from measurement data by QuakeMap24. Values may change after further analysis.

Map

M6.2 Earthquake near Sanma (Vanuatu) · 2026-10-29 — Map showing the location of the epicenter
M6.2 Earthquake near Sanma (Vanuatu) · 2026-10-29 — Map showing the location of the epicenter

About this earthquake

A magnitude M6.2 earthquake was recorded near Sanma (Vanuatu) on October 29, 2026 at 21:46 UTC. The earthquake originated at an intermediate depth of about 143 km. Earthquakes of this magnitude can cause significant damage in populated areas.

The event was recorded by USGS.

Details

ID
4f3c6cdf7e6c4297becf1eeb244a2e38dbabb844
Magnitude
M6.2
Depth
142.8 km
UTC time
2026-10-29 21:46:45 UTC
Local time
—
Country
Vanuatu
State
Sanma
City
Sanma
Source
usgs
Coordinates
-15.18910, 167.45230
Temperature
26.1°C

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 142.8 km (Intermediate) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 142.8 km
Intermediate
142.8 km
142.8 km — deeper than the regional average (92.6 km)
Regional average: 92.6 km
Why depth matters

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

Depth classes per USGS

Felt reports

7felt reports at EMSC / LastQuake

Voluntary reports of feeling this earthquake. The count is not an intensity measurement and is not added to USGS DYFI reports.

Data updated: Oct 29, 2026, 11:15 PM UTC · Last checked: Oct 30, 2026, 2:22 PM UTC

Source: EMSC / LastQuake

Estimated impact

Green No or minimal impact expected.
Estimated population exposed
IV 119'072
4 Felt reports · max reported intensity 4.6

Ground shaking

IV
Light · Intensity (MMI) IV
Felt by many, no damage.

Tectonic context

Located on the New Hebrides Plate.
Near the boundary New Hebrides ↔ Australia · about 132 km away

Nearby population centers

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

PlaceDistanceDirectionPopulation
Port Vila296.9 kmS35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Ambae Activity reported
    Distance: 47 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'496 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu
  • Gaua
    Distance: 101 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 729 m ·Last eruption: 2022 ·Vanuatu
  • Ambrym Activity reported
    Distance: 138 km ·Shield(pyroclastic) ·Elevation: 1'334 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Vanuatu
  • Suretamatai
    Distance: 154 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 921 m ·Last eruption: 1966 ·Vanuatu
  • Motlav
    Distance: 171 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 411 m ·Vanuatu
  • Lopevi
    Distance: 175 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'413 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·Vanuatu

Radius · 100 km

Nearby infrastructure

Up to 3 nearest sites per category

Airports

  • Walaha AirportVanuatu · WLH · NVSW
    35.6 kmStraight-line distance
  • Santo Pekoa International AirportVanuatu · SON · NVSS
    43.1 kmStraight-line distance
  • Longana AirportVanuatu · LOD · NVSG
    56.7 kmStraight-line distance

Source: OurAirports · Dataset date: 2026-10-30

This selection shows geographic proximity, not a hazard zone or confirmed impacts. Distances use recorded site coordinates. Sources & data dates

Comparison of seismic sources

7 sources currently report magnitudes from M6.0 to M6.3.

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

SourceMagnitudeDepthPosition difference
BMKGM6.010.0 km29.5 km
EMSCM6.3116.0 km4.5 km
GAM6.2130.6 km2.3 km
GFZM6.1116.0 km4.2 km
INGVM6.1121.1 km2.7 km
SCEDCM6.2142.8 km0.0 km
USGSM6.2142.8 km0.0 km

Vanuatu

Context for this earthquake

05 Oct 2025 – 05 Oct 2026 · M ≥ 3.0 · 85 Catalogue entries

Sufficiently reliable matching data are not currently available for a direct comparison. The area profile shows the available records and their limitations.

Open seismic profile

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 250 km.

Magnitude rank#16
Earlier events M≥4274
Earlier events M≥5156
Compared since2025-01-01

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

Strongest earlier events

M7.32026-03-30 08:44:13 UTC19.5 km48 km ENE of Luganville, Vanuatu M7.32026-03-30 08:44:10 UTC13.9 kmVANUATU M7.32026-03-30 08:44:08 UTC10.1 km###.# km ( ###.# mi) WSW (az= 251.1) from Quartzsite, AZ M7.32026-03-30 08:44:08 UTC10.5 kmVanuatu Islands M7.32026-03-30 08:44:08 UTC13.2 kmVanuatu Islands

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)
808
Country (24h)
Vanuatu
1
Current earthquakes in
Magnitude Place Local time
No recent events available.

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