M5.0 Depth: 95.1 km

M5.0 Earthquake near VANUATU (Vanuatu)

UTC time: 2025-12-17 22:30:07 UTC Local time: —

M5.0 earthquake near Tafea on Dec 17, 2025 — map of epicenter and shaking intensity | QuakeMap24 — M5.0 Earthquake near VANUATU (Vanuatu) · 2025-12-17 22:30:07 UTC

About this earthquake

On December 17, 2025 at 22:30 UTC, a magnitude M5.0 earthquake occurred near VANUATU (Vanuatu). At around 95 km, the focal depth places this among intermediate-depth events. Events of this size can cause damage near the epicenter.

The event was recorded by EMSC.

Details

Magnitude

M5.0

Depth

95.1 km

UTC time

2025-12-17 22:30:07 UTC

Local time

—

Country

Vanuatu

City

Tafea

Source

emsc

Coordinates

-18.45970, 168.57120

Temperature

27.6°C

Map

Depth profile

Intermediate

95.1 km

95.1 km — close to the regional average (112.7 km)

Regional average: 112.7 km

Why depth matters

Intermediate-depth quakes are felt across a wider area but usually cause less surface damage.

Depth classes per USGS

Nearby population centers

Distances are straight-line distances from the epicenter. Population data: GeoNames.

PlaceDistanceDirectionPopulation

Port Vila84.9 kmN35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Traitor's Head

Distance: 78 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 817 m ·Last eruption: 1881 ·Vanuatu
Nguna-Emau

Distance: 114 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 589 m ·Vanuatu
Yasur

Distance: 151 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 361 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu
Kuwae

Distance: 181 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: -2 m ·Last eruption: 1974 ·Vanuatu
East Epi

Distance: 199 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 833 m ·Last eruption: 2023 ·Vanuatu
Lopevi

Distance: 218 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'413 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·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 eventM5.2

M5.02025-12-17 22:30:13 UTC21.8 kmVanuatu Islands M5.22026-01-01 21:35:02 UTC34.4 km107 km NNW of Isangel, Vanuatu M5.12026-01-01 21:35:02 UTC29.0 kmVanuatu Islands M5.12026-01-06 23:10:37 UTC94.7 kmShefa M5.02026-01-06 23:10:38 UTC98.7 kmNatapao M4.82026-01-07 00:27:52 UTC148.3 kmShefa

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#28

Earlier events M≥4108

Earlier events M≥541

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 UTC90.0 kmVANUATU M5.92025-02-10 00:09:43 UTC139.7 km65 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.92025-02-10 00:09:42 UTC129.5 km53 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.72025-05-11 11:22:19 UTC107.8 kmVanuatu Islands M5.72025-03-28 01:20:04 UTC82.5 km66 km NW of Isangel, Vanuatu

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)

621

Country (24h)