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M5.0 Depth: 49.0 km

M5.0 Earthquake near Vanuatu Islands

UTC time: 2026-05-16 15:35:25 UTC Local time: —
M5.0 earthquake near Vanuatu Islands on May 16, 2026 — map of epicenter and shaking intensity | QuakeMap24
M5.0 Earthquake near Vanuatu Islands · 2026-05-16 15:35:25 UTC

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.0 earthquake was recorded near Vanuatu Islands on May 16, 2026 at 15:35 UTC. The hypocenter lay relatively close to the surface at around 49 km, increasing how strongly it was felt. Earthquakes of this magnitude can damage poorly built structures.

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

Details

Magnitude
M5.0
Depth
49.0 km
UTC time
2026-05-16 15:35:25 UTC
Local time
—
Country
—
Source
gfz
Coordinates
-17.78000, 168.99000
Temperature
26.4°C

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 49 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 49 km
Shallow
49 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 Vila71.8 kmW35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Nguna-Emau
    Distance: 77 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 589 m ·Vanuatu
  • Traitor's Head
    Distance: 111 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 817 m ·Last eruption: 1881 ·Vanuatu
  • Kuwae
    Distance: 117 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: -2 m ·Last eruption: 1974 ·Vanuatu
  • East Epi
    Distance: 138 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 833 m ·Last eruption: 2023 ·Vanuatu
  • Lopevi
    Distance: 157 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'413 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·Vanuatu
  • Ambrym
    Distance: 194 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 hours2
First 24 hours2
First 72 hours9
Strongest subsequent eventM6.0
M5.42026-05-16 15:58:04 UTC22.1 kmVANUATU M5.32026-05-16 15:58:05 UTC28.3 kmVanuatu Islands M5.72026-05-19 02:29:23 UTC103.5 km51 km SSW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M6.02026-05-19 02:29:24 UTC101.3 kmVanuatu Islands M5.92026-05-19 02:29:26 UTC108.0 kmVanuatu Islands [Sea: Vanuatu] M5.42026-05-19 02:29:30 UTC112.4 kmEvent of magnitude 5.4, near Nouméa (Monde) M4.82026-05-19 14:18:39 UTC77.8 kmPort Vila M4.82026-05-19 14:18:40 UTC82.3 kmPort Vila M4.72026-05-19 14:18:41 UTC70.1 kmPort Vila M4.92026-05-31 02:47:57 UTC120.1 kmVanuatu Islands M5.02026-05-31 02:48:01 UTC139.3 kmVANUATU M5.02026-06-11 21:32:47 UTC131.9 kmTafea

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#27
Earlier events M≥498
Earlier events M≥539
Compared since2025-01-01

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

Strongest earlier events

M5.92025-05-11 11:22:21 UTC74.8 kmVANUATU M5.92025-02-10 00:09:43 UTC133.9 km65 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.92025-02-10 00:09:42 UTC122.1 km53 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.72025-05-11 11:22:19 UTC104.8 kmVanuatu Islands M5.62026-04-02 23:22:14 UTC147.0 kmVanuatu Islands [Sea: Vanuatu]

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
622
Country (24h)
—
—
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