M6.3 Depth: 31.0 km

M6.3 Earthquake near Santa Cruz Islands

UTC time: 2025-08-14 16:22:32 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

On August 14, 2025 at 16:22 UTC, a magnitude M6.3 earthquake occurred near Santa Cruz Islands. With a focal depth of about 31 km, this was a shallow earthquake, whose shaking is usually felt more strongly at the surface. Earthquakes of this magnitude can cause significant damage in populated areas.

The event was recorded by GFZ.

Details

Magnitude

M6.3

Depth

31.0 km

UTC time

2025-08-14 16:22:32 UTC

Local time

—

Country

—

Source

gfz

Coordinates

-11.66000, 166.31000

Temperature

27.1°C

Map

Depth profile

Shallow

31 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 Vila709.2 kmS35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Tinakula

Distance: 152 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 796 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Solomon Islands
Motlav

Distance: 268 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 411 m ·Vanuatu
Suretamatai

Distance: 269 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 921 m ·Last eruption: 1966 ·Vanuatu
Gaua

Distance: 319 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 729 m ·Last eruption: 2022 ·Vanuatu
Ambae

Distance: 446 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'496 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

Events recorded after this earthquake within 250 km. They are not automatically classified as aftershocks.

First 6 hours0

First 24 hours0

First 72 hours0

Strongest subsequent eventM5.5

M4.82025-08-19 21:27:39 UTC201.2 km79 km NNW of Sola, Vanuatu M5.22025-08-26 05:54:25 UTC73.3 kmSanta Cruz Islands M4.92025-08-26 05:54:29 UTC91.5 kmSANTA CRUZ ISLANDS M4.92025-08-26 05:54:31 UTC103.9 km181 km NW of Sola, Vanuatu M5.12025-08-30 14:58:43 UTC29.5 kmTemotu M5.22025-08-30 14:58:45 UTC19.4 kmSanta Cruz Islands M5.12025-08-30 14:58:50 UTC9.9 kmSANTA CRUZ ISLANDS M4.82025-08-30 17:16:40 UTC147.4 km146 km NW of Sola, Vanuatu M4.82025-08-30 17:16:40 UTC149.3 kmSANTA CRUZ ISLANDS M5.32025-08-30 20:09:24 UTC45.5 kmSanta Cruz Islands M5.52025-08-30 20:09:27 UTC22.8 km99 km SE of Lata, Solomon Islands M5.02025-08-30 20:09:28 UTC86.6 kmEvent of magnitude 5.0, near of Nouméa (Monde)

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 250 km.

Magnitude rank#1

Earlier events M≥468

Earlier events M≥518

Compared since2025-01-08

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

Strongest earlier events

M6.02025-02-23 18:16:18 UTC37.9 km85 km SE of Lata, Solomon Islands M5.72025-01-15 21:37:01 UTC95.4 km26 km SE of Lata, Solomon Islands M5.62025-08-14 16:22:28 UTC14.2 kmTemotu M5.52025-01-20 08:38:42 UTC64.5 km62 km S of Lata, Solomon Islands M5.32025-07-24 06:34:54 UTC87.5 kmSANTA CRUZ ISLANDS

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)

650

Country (24h)

—

Current earthquakes in

Magnitude Place Local time

No recent events available.