M5.0 Depth: 10.0 km

M5.0 Earthquake near VANUATU (Vanuatu)

UTC time: 2025-09-12 04:50:36 UTC Local time: —

M5.0 earthquake near Malampa on Sep 12, 2025 — map of epicenter and shaking intensity | QuakeMap24 — M5.0 Earthquake near VANUATU (Vanuatu) · 2025-09-12 04:50:36 UTC

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.0 earthquake was recorded near VANUATU (Vanuatu) on September 12, 2025 at 04:50 UTC. With a focal depth of about 10 km, this was a shallow earthquake, whose shaking is usually felt more strongly at the surface. Events of this size can cause damage near the epicenter.

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

Details

Magnitude

M5.0

Depth

10.0 km

UTC time

2025-09-12 04:50:36 UTC

Local time

—

Country

Vanuatu

City

Malampa

Source

emsc

Coordinates

-16.35870, 167.21520

Temperature

25.9°C

Map

Depth profile

Shallow

10 km

10 km — shallower than the regional average (112.7 km)

Regional average: 112.7 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

Port Vila192.6 kmSE35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Ambrym

Distance: 97 km ·Shield(pyroclastic) ·Elevation: 1'334 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Vanuatu
Lopevi

Distance: 122 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'413 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·Vanuatu
Ambae

Distance: 127 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'496 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu
East Epi

Distance: 130 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 833 m ·Last eruption: 2023 ·Vanuatu
Kuwae

Distance: 149 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: -2 m ·Last eruption: 1974 ·Vanuatu
Nguna-Emau

Distance: 172 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 hours3

First 24 hours3

First 72 hours3

Strongest subsequent eventM5.8

M5.02025-09-12 06:05:21 UTC11.4 kmVanuatu Islands M4.92025-09-12 06:05:24 UTC3.7 kmVANUATU M4.92025-09-12 06:05:25 UTC9.3 km30 km SW of Lakatoro, Vanuatu M4.62025-09-26 02:41:31 UTC113.9 km76 km NE of Norsup, Vanuatu M5.02025-09-27 07:17:14 UTC140.1 kmVANUATU M5.12025-10-02 14:00:30 UTC132.8 kmSanma M5.02025-10-02 14:00:32 UTC139.4 km39 km ESE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu M5.12025-10-02 14:00:33 UTC124.4 kmVanuatu Islands M5.82025-10-07 22:36:19 UTC125.1 kmVanuatu Islands M5.42025-10-07 22:36:20 UTC119.5 kmEvent of magnitude 5.4, near of Nouméa (Monde) M5.72025-10-07 22:36:21 UTC128.2 kmVANUATU M5.82025-10-07 22:36:22 UTC116.1 kmVanuatu Islands [Sea: Vanuatu]

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#9

Earlier events M≥448

Earlier events M≥513

Compared since2025-01-01

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

Strongest earlier events

M5.92025-02-10 00:09:43 UTC135.9 km65 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.92025-02-10 00:09:42 UTC145.2 km53 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.32025-02-10 00:13:44 UTC143.9 km57 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.32025-01-04 22:23:37 UTC40.4 km7 km E of Lakatoro, Vanuatu M5.22025-05-27 09:21:40 UTC132.1 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)

583

Country (24h)