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M5.0 Depth: 72.9 km

M5.0 Earthquake near 87 km S of Isangel, Vanuatu

UTC time: 2026-08-20 00:20:25 UTC Local time: —
M5.0 earthquake near 87 km S of Isangel, Vanuatu on Aug 20, 2026 — map of epicenter and shaking intensity | QuakeMap24
M5.0 Earthquake near 87 km S of Isangel, Vanuatu · 2026-08-20 00:20:25 UTC

About this earthquake

On August 20, 2026 at 00:20 UTC, a magnitude M5.0 earthquake occurred near 87 km S of Isangel, Vanuatu. The earthquake originated at an intermediate depth of about 73 km. Earthquakes of this magnitude can damage poorly built structures.

The data is provided by USGS and cross-checked across seismological networks.

Details

Magnitude
M5.0
Depth
72.9 km
UTC time
2026-08-20 00:20:25 UTC
Local time
—
Country
—
Source
usgs
Coordinates
-20.32400, 169.15140
Temperature
21.8°C

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 72.9 km (Intermediate) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 72.9 km
Intermediate
72.9 km
Why depth matters

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

Depth classes per USGS

Tectonic context

Located on the New Hebrides Plate.
Near the boundary New Hebrides ↔ Australia · about 76 km away

Nearby population centers

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

PlaceDistanceDirectionPopulation
Mont-Dore298.9 kmSW24'680

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Yasur
    Distance: 93 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 361 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu
  • Gemini-Oscostar
    Distance: 124 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -33 m ·Last eruption: 1996 ·Vanuatu
  • Traitor's Head
    Distance: 175 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 817 m ·Last eruption: 1881 ·Vanuatu
  • Matthew Island
    Distance: 317 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 177 m ·Last eruption: 1956 ·France - claimed by Vanuatu
  • Nguna-Emau
    Distance: 330 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 589 m ·Vanuatu
  • Hunter Island
    Distance: 379 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 297 m ·Last eruption: 1903 ·France - claimed by Vanuatu

Comparison of seismic sources

3 sources currently report magnitudes from M5.0 to M5.0.

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

SourceMagnitudeDepthPosition difference
RESIFM5.010.0 km46.0 km
EMSCM5.072.9 km0.0 km
USGSM5.072.9 km0.0 km

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#26
Earlier events M≥466
Earlier events M≥535
Compared since2025-01-01

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

Strongest earlier events

M6.12026-07-08 09:50:28 UTC37.6 kmVanuatu [Sea] M5.52026-03-20 02:30:34 UTC147.8 kmEvent of magnitude 5.5, near of Nouméa (Monde) M5.52026-06-08 18:49:45 UTC107.2 kmSoutheast of Loyalty Islands M5.52025-12-18 01:59:32 UTC46.5 kmVanuatu Islands M5.52025-01-01 04:39:18 UTC61.5 km153 km S of Isangel, Vanuatu

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
637
Country (24h)
—
—
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