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M5.2 Depth: 51.5 km

M5.2 Earthquake near VANUATU

UTC time: 2025-12-18 01:59:31 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

On December 18, 2025 at 01:59 UTC, a magnitude M5.2 earthquake occurred near VANUATU. With a focal depth of about 52 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 data is provided by EMSC and cross-checked across seismological networks.

Details

Magnitude
M5.2
Depth
51.5 km
UTC time
2025-12-18 01:59:31 UTC
Local time
—
Country
—
Source
emsc
Coordinates
-20.27300, 169.34380
Temperature
26.6°C

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 51.5 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 51.5 km
Shallow
51.5 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 Vila302.1 kmN35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Yasur
    Distance: 83 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 361 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu
  • Gemini-Oscostar
    Distance: 112 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -33 m ·Last eruption: 1996 ·Vanuatu
  • Traitor's Head
    Distance: 169 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 817 m ·Last eruption: 1881 ·Vanuatu
  • Matthew Island
    Distance: 307 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 177 m ·Last eruption: 1956 ·France - claimed by Vanuatu
  • Nguna-Emau
    Distance: 331 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 589 m ·Vanuatu
  • Hunter Island
    Distance: 367 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 297 m ·Last eruption: 1903 ·France - claimed by Vanuatu

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#7
Earlier events M≥458
Earlier events M≥530
Compared since2025-01-01

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 UTC135.5 km66 km NW of Isangel, Vanuatu M5.52025-01-01 04:39:18 UTC72.9 km153 km S of Isangel, Vanuatu M5.42025-08-28 11:40:25 UTC66.9 kmVanuatu Islands M5.32025-09-25 23:16:51 UTC35.0 kmVANUATU M5.32025-09-25 23:16:49 UTC45.9 kmLoyalty Islands

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
656
Country (24h)
—
—
Current earthquakes in
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No recent events available.

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