M5.7 Depth: 10.0 km

M5.7 Earthquake near Vanuatu Islands (Vanuatu)

UTC time: 2025-05-11 11:22:19 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.7 earthquake was recorded near Vanuatu Islands (Vanuatu) on May 11, 2025 at 11:22 UTC. The hypocenter lay relatively close to the surface at around 10 km, increasing how strongly it was felt. Earthquakes of this magnitude can damage poorly built structures.

The event was recorded by GFZ.

Details

Magnitude

M5.7

Depth

10.0 km

UTC time

2025-05-11 11:22:19 UTC

Local time

—

Country

Vanuatu

City

Shefa

Source

gfz

Coordinates

-17.65000, 168.01000

Temperature

26.8°C

Map

Depth profile

Shallow

10 km

10 km — shallower than the regional average (111.2 km)

Regional average: 111.2 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 Vila33.6 kmE35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Nguna-Emau

Distance: 42 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 589 m ·Vanuatu
Kuwae

Distance: 106 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: -2 m ·Last eruption: 1974 ·Vanuatu
East Epi

Distance: 115 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 833 m ·Last eruption: 2023 ·Vanuatu
Lopevi

Distance: 132 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'413 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·Vanuatu
Ambrym

Distance: 156 km ·Shield(pyroclastic) ·Elevation: 1'334 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Vanuatu
Traitor's Head

Distance: 179 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 817 m ·Last eruption: 1881 ·Vanuatu

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

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

First 6 hours1

First 24 hours3

First 72 hours3

Strongest subsequent eventM5.9

M5.92025-05-11 11:22:21 UTC30.0 km M5.02025-05-11 17:38:27 UTC125.1 kmVanuatu Islands M4.72025-05-11 17:38:36 UTC7.5 km M4.62025-06-02 07:25:18 UTC63.7 kmVanuatu Islands M4.72025-06-02 07:25:22 UTC64.0 km62 km SSW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M4.72025-06-02 07:25:22 UTC68.3 km M4.82025-06-10 11:18:00 UTC20.3 kmVanuatu Islands M4.82025-06-10 11:18:02 UTC56.0 km

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#2

Earlier events M≥446

Earlier events M≥511

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 00:09:42 UTC21.8 km53 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.32025-02-10 00:16:03 UTC38.2 km70 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.32025-02-10 00:13:44 UTC24.9 km57 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.32025-01-26 06:13:38 UTC9.9 km24 km W of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.12025-05-03 15:49:02 UTC42.3 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)

668

Country (24h)