M5.9 Depth: 60.0 km

M5.9 Earthquake near VANUATU (Vanuatu)

UTC time: 2025-05-11 11:22:21 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.9 earthquake was recorded near VANUATU (Vanuatu) on May 11, 2025 at 11:22 UTC. With a focal depth of about 60 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

Magnitude

M5.9

Depth

60.0 km

UTC time

2025-05-11 11:22:21 UTC

Local time

—

Country

Vanuatu

City

Shefa

Source

emsc

Coordinates

-17.69630, 168.28930

Temperature

23.8°C

Map

Depth profile

Shallow

60 km

60 km — shallower than the regional average (111.2 km)

Regional average: 111.2 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 Vila5.2 kmSE35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Nguna-Emau

Distance: 28 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 589 m ·Vanuatu
Kuwae

Distance: 99 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: -2 m ·Last eruption: 1974 ·Vanuatu
East Epi

Distance: 114 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 833 m ·Last eruption: 2023 ·Vanuatu
Lopevi

Distance: 132 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'413 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·Vanuatu
Traitor's Head

Distance: 155 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 817 m ·Last eruption: 1881 ·Vanuatu
Ambrym

Distance: 162 km ·Shield(pyroclastic) ·Elevation: 1'334 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Vanuatu

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

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

First 6 hours0

First 24 hours2

First 72 hours2

Strongest subsequent eventM5.0

M5.02025-05-11 17:38:27 UTC95.4 kmVanuatu Islands M4.72025-05-11 17:38:36 UTC25.1 km M4.62025-06-02 07:25:18 UTC57.2 kmVanuatu Islands M4.72025-06-02 07:25:22 UTC65.4 km62 km SSW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M4.72025-06-02 07:25:22 UTC66.3 km M4.82025-06-10 11:18:00 UTC32.7 kmVanuatu Islands M4.82025-06-10 11:18:02 UTC85.1 km

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#1

Earlier events M≥448

Earlier events M≥512

Compared since2025-01-01

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

Strongest earlier events

M5.92025-02-10 00:09:42 UTC48.9 km53 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.72025-05-11 11:22:19 UTC30.0 kmVanuatu Islands M5.32025-02-10 00:16:03 UTC66.1 km70 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.32025-02-10 00:13:44 UTC53.3 km57 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.32025-01-26 06:13:38 UTC21.4 km24 km W of Port-Vila, 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)

668

Country (24h)