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M5.0 Depth: 10.0 km

M5.0 Earthquake near Malampa (Vanuatu)

UTC time: 2026-03-31 10:03:38 UTC Local time: —
M5.0 earthquake near Malampa on Mar 31, 2026 — map of epicenter and shaking intensity | QuakeMap24
M5.0 Earthquake near Malampa (Vanuatu) · 2026-03-31 10:03:38 UTC

About this earthquake

On March 31, 2026 at 10:03 UTC, a magnitude M5.0 earthquake occurred near Malampa (Vanuatu). The hypocenter lay relatively close to the surface at around 10 km, increasing how strongly it was felt. Events of this size can cause damage near the epicenter.

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

Details

Magnitude
M5.0
Depth
10.0 km
UTC time
2026-03-31 10:03:38 UTC
Local time
—
Country
Vanuatu
State
Malampa
City
Malampa
Source
gfz
Coordinates
-16.19000, 168.22000
Temperature
30.2°C

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 10 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 10 km
Shallow
10 km
10 km — shallower than the regional average (111.6 km)
Regional average: 111.6 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 Vila172.2 kmS35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Ambrym
    Distance: 13 km ·Shield(pyroclastic) ·Elevation: 1'334 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Vanuatu
  • Lopevi
    Distance: 38 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'413 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·Vanuatu
  • East Epi
    Distance: 57 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 833 m ·Last eruption: 2023 ·Vanuatu
  • Kuwae
    Distance: 78 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: -2 m ·Last eruption: 1974 ·Vanuatu
  • Ambae
    Distance: 98 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'496 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu
  • Nguna-Emau
    Distance: 141 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 589 m ·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 hours2
Strongest subsequent eventM5.1
M4.92026-03-31 10:03:48 UTC63.5 kmVANUATU M4.92026-03-31 10:03:49 UTC64.3 km33 km SE of Lakatoro, Vanuatu M4.92026-04-06 08:19:51 UTC124.5 kmVanuatu Islands M4.52026-04-06 08:19:52 UTC132.2 km62 km E of Port-Olry, Vanuatu M4.42026-04-13 00:27:20 UTC133.2 kmPenama M5.12026-04-22 13:20:44 UTC109.3 kmVanuatu Islands M5.02026-04-22 13:20:46 UTC117.8 km31 km ENE of Luganville, Vanuatu M5.02026-04-22 13:20:46 UTC115.2 kmVANUATU

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#28
Earlier events M≥485
Earlier events M≥540
Compared since2025-01-01

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

Strongest earlier events

M7.32026-03-30 08:44:13 UTC120.2 km48 km ENE of Luganville, Vanuatu M7.32026-03-30 08:44:10 UTC139.5 kmVANUATU M7.32026-03-30 08:44:08 UTC132.5 km###.# km ( ###.# mi) WSW (az= 251.1) from Quartzsite, AZ M7.32026-03-30 08:44:08 UTC128.5 kmVanuatu Islands M7.32026-03-30 08:44:08 UTC125.9 kmVanuatu Islands

Historic earthquake map · Vanuatu

Open history map
Explore recent and long-term earthquake activity in this country. Use filters to narrow down by magnitude, depth, and date range.

Country statistics · Vanuatu

Country overview
View earthquake KPIs, strongest and latest events, and averages for this country.

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
718
Country (24h)
Vanuatu
0
Current earthquakes in
Magnitude Place Local time
No recent events available.

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