M5.6 Depth: 63.7 km

M5.6 Earthquake near SANTA CRUZ ISLANDS REGION

UTC time: 2026-05-12 15:39:30 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

On May 12, 2026 at 15:39 UTC, a magnitude M5.6 earthquake occurred near SANTA CRUZ ISLANDS REGION. The hypocenter lay relatively close to the surface at around 64 km, increasing how strongly it was felt. Events of this size can cause damage near the epicenter.

The event was recorded by EMSC.

Details

Magnitude

M5.6

Depth

63.7 km

UTC time

2026-05-12 15:39:30 UTC

Local time

—

Country

—

Source

emsc

Coordinates

-10.62790, 164.92050

Temperature

28.8°C

Map

Depth profile

Shallow

63.7 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

Malango549.5 kmW15'560

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Tinakula

Distance: 100 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 796 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Solomon Islands
Suretamatai

Distance: 449 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 921 m ·Last eruption: 1966 ·Vanuatu
Motlav

Distance: 451 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 411 m ·Vanuatu
Gaua

Distance: 494 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 729 m ·Last eruption: 2022 ·Vanuatu

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

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

First 6 hours1

First 24 hours1

First 72 hours1

Strongest subsequent eventM5.6

M5.62026-05-12 15:39:31 UTC8.9 kmSanta Cruz Islands Region M5.12026-05-22 19:30:39 UTC72.3 kmSanta Cruz Islands Region M5.32026-05-22 19:30:39 UTC75.7 kmEvent of magnitude 5.3, near Nouméa (Monde) M5.42026-05-22 19:30:39 UTC64.2 kmSANTA CRUZ ISLANDS REGION

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#2

Earlier events M≥434

Earlier events M≥514

Compared since2025-01-15

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

Strongest earlier events

M5.72025-01-15 21:37:01 UTC120.4 km26 km SE of Lata, Solomon Islands M5.52025-01-20 08:38:42 UTC125.9 km62 km S of Lata, Solomon Islands M5.32025-08-30 20:09:24 UTC146.5 kmSanta Cruz Islands M5.32025-07-24 06:34:54 UTC138.4 kmSANTA CRUZ ISLANDS M5.22025-09-12 17:29:47 UTC5.9 kmEvent of magnitude 5.2, near of Nouméa (Monde)

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)

701

Country (24h)

—

Current earthquakes in

Magnitude Place Local time

No recent events available.