M5.4 Depth: 33.0 km

M5.4 Earthquake

UTC time: 2026-02-21 16:42:02 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.4 earthquake was recorded near Earthquake location (-14.451, 167.145) on February 21, 2026 at 16:42 UTC. The hypocenter lay relatively close to the surface at around 33 km, increasing how strongly it was felt. Earthquakes of this magnitude can damage poorly built structures.

The event was recorded by NNSN.

Details

Magnitude

M5.4

Depth

33.0 km

UTC time

2026-02-21 16:42:02 UTC

Local time

—

Country

—

Source

nnsn

Coordinates

-14.45100, 167.14500

Map

Depth profile

Shallow

33 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 Vila386.1 kmS35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Gaua

Distance: 44 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 729 m ·Last eruption: 2022 ·Vanuatu
Suretamatai

Distance: 80 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 921 m ·Last eruption: 1966 ·Vanuatu
Motlav

Distance: 104 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 411 m ·Vanuatu
Ambae

Distance: 128 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'496 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu
Ambrym

Distance: 226 km ·Shield(pyroclastic) ·Elevation: 1'334 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Vanuatu
Lopevi

Distance: 262 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 hours0

First 24 hours1

First 72 hours1

Strongest subsequent eventM5.8

M4.92026-02-22 01:22:55 UTC115.3 kmLambu M5.82026-03-06 14:27:43 UTC0.0 km M4.72026-03-10 09:51:19 UTC98.2 kmVanuatu Islands M5.02026-03-17 23:27:56 UTC44.2 kmVanuatu Islands M4.82026-03-21 03:21:02 UTC0.0 km M5.02026-03-22 17:07:16 UTC0.0 km

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#17

Earlier events M≥497

Earlier events M≥544

Compared since2025-01-04

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

Strongest earlier events

M6.42026-02-14 02:27:37 UTC76.4 kmSanma M6.42026-02-14 02:27:37 UTC76.4 kmSanma M5.92025-05-28 08:57:48 UTC24.8 km52 km SW of Sola, Vanuatu M5.92025-05-28 08:57:48 UTC32.5 kmVanuatu Islands M5.92025-05-28 08:57:47 UTC33.8 kmVANUATU

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)

740

Country (24h)

—

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