M5.0 Depth: 10.0 km

M5.0 Earthquake near Vanuatu Islands (Vanuatu)

UTC time: 2025-09-12 06:05:21 UTC Local time: —

M5.0 earthquake near Malampa on Sep 12, 2025 — map of epicenter and shaking intensity | QuakeMap24 — M5.0 Earthquake near Vanuatu Islands (Vanuatu) · 2025-09-12 06:05:21 UTC

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.0 earthquake was recorded near Vanuatu Islands (Vanuatu) on September 12, 2025 at 06:05 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 GFZ.

Details

Magnitude

M5.0

Depth

10.0 km

UTC time

2025-09-12 06:05:21 UTC

Local time

—

Country

Vanuatu

City

Malampa

Source

gfz

Coordinates

-16.38000, 167.32000

Temperature

26.4°C

Map

Depth profile

Shallow

10 km

10 km — shallower than the regional average (112.7 km)

Regional average: 112.7 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 Vila184.1 kmSE35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Ambrym

Distance: 87 km ·Shield(pyroclastic) ·Elevation: 1'334 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Vanuatu
Lopevi

Distance: 110 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'413 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·Vanuatu
East Epi

Distance: 119 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 833 m ·Last eruption: 2023 ·Vanuatu
Ambae

Distance: 123 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'496 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu
Kuwae

Distance: 138 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: -2 m ·Last eruption: 1974 ·Vanuatu
Nguna-Emau

Distance: 162 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 589 m ·Vanuatu

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

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

First 6 hours2

First 24 hours2

First 72 hours2

Strongest subsequent eventM5.8

M4.92025-09-12 06:05:24 UTC12.7 kmVANUATU M4.92025-09-12 06:05:25 UTC17.7 km30 km SW of Lakatoro, Vanuatu M4.62025-09-26 02:41:31 UTC108.9 km76 km NE of Norsup, Vanuatu M5.02025-09-27 07:17:14 UTC134.3 kmVANUATU M5.12025-10-02 14:00:30 UTC133.5 kmSanma M5.02025-10-02 14:00:32 UTC140.4 km39 km ESE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu M5.12025-10-02 14:00:33 UTC125.8 kmVanuatu Islands M5.82025-10-07 22:36:19 UTC119.0 kmVanuatu Islands M5.42025-10-07 22:36:20 UTC112.9 kmEvent of magnitude 5.4, near of Nouméa (Monde) M5.72025-10-07 22:36:21 UTC121.3 kmVANUATU M5.82025-10-07 22:36:22 UTC109.4 kmVanuatu Islands [Sea: Vanuatu] M4.82025-10-09 20:08:46 UTC113.2 km36 km ENE of Luganville, Vanuatu

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#9

Earlier events M≥453

Earlier events M≥516

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 00:09:43 UTC129.3 km65 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.92025-02-10 00:09:42 UTC138.0 km53 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.32025-02-10 00:13:44 UTC137.0 km57 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.32025-01-04 22:23:37 UTC35.5 km7 km E of Lakatoro, Vanuatu M5.22025-05-27 09:21:40 UTC130.3 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)

583

Country (24h)