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M5.2 Depth: 35.0 km

M5.2 Earthquake near Vanuatu Islands

UTC time: 2025-09-17 12:02:39 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.2 earthquake was recorded near Vanuatu Islands on September 17, 2025 at 12:02 UTC. With a focal depth of about 35 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 GFZ.

Details

Magnitude
M5.2
Depth
35.0 km
UTC time
2025-09-17 12:02:39 UTC
Local time
—
Country
—
Source
gfz
Coordinates
-19.29000, 168.56000
Temperature
23.8°C

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 35 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 35 km
Shallow
35 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 Vila174.7 kmN35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Traitor's Head
    Distance: 93 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 817 m ·Last eruption: 1881 ·Vanuatu
  • Yasur
    Distance: 97 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 361 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu
  • Nguna-Emau
    Distance: 206 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 589 m ·Vanuatu
  • Gemini-Oscostar
    Distance: 247 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -33 m ·Last eruption: 1996 ·Vanuatu
  • Kuwae
    Distance: 274 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: -2 m ·Last eruption: 1974 ·Vanuatu
  • East Epi
    Distance: 291 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 833 m ·Last eruption: 2023 ·Vanuatu

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

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

First 6 hours1
First 24 hours1
First 72 hours1
Strongest subsequent eventM5.3
M5.12025-09-17 12:02:40 UTC11.1 kmVANUATU M5.32025-09-25 23:16:49 UTC97.9 kmLoyalty Islands M5.22025-09-25 23:16:49 UTC123.6 kmEvent of magnitude 5.2, near of Nouméa (Monde) M5.32025-09-25 23:16:51 UTC110.7 kmVANUATU M5.02025-09-27 09:49:29 UTC50.1 km32 km W of Isangel, Vanuatu M4.82025-09-27 09:49:30 UTC50.6 kmVanuatu Islands M4.72025-10-03 18:12:34 UTC97.3 km24 km ENE of Isangel, Vanuatu M4.62025-10-09 00:27:08 UTC24.5 km56 km WNW of Isangel, Vanuatu

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#5
Earlier events M≥440
Earlier events M≥515
Compared since2025-01-09

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

Strongest earlier events

M5.72025-03-28 01:20:04 UTC27.1 km66 km NW of Isangel, Vanuatu M5.62025-07-13 06:16:52 UTC137.8 kmVanuatu Islands M5.32025-07-13 06:16:50 UTC129.2 km45 km S of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.32025-07-13 06:16:50 UTC133.2 kmVANUATU M5.22025-09-04 11:10:14 UTC122.8 kmVanuatu Islands

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
658
Country (24h)
—
—
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