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Vanuatu · Sanma

M4.7 Earthquake near Lythykeurer, Sanma (Vanuatu)

UTC time: 2026-09-16 09:41:48 UTC Local time: —
Earthquake newsQuakeMap24
Archive record · original publication time was not recorded Content updated:

Automatically generated from measurement data by QuakeMap24. Values may change after further analysis.

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About this earthquake

On September 16, 2026 at 09:41 UTC, a magnitude M4.7 earthquake occurred near Lythykeurer, Sanma (Vanuatu). With a focal depth of about 61 km, this was a shallow earthquake, whose shaking is usually felt more strongly at the surface. Earthquakes of this magnitude are clearly felt; minor damage to vulnerable buildings is possible.

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

Details

ID
c5fe488e18372307af8f96296eeb4b5f6a04099f
Magnitude
M4.7
Depth
60.7 km
UTC time
2026-09-16 09:41:48 UTC
Local time
—
Country
Vanuatu
State
Sanma
City
Lythykeurer
Source
usgs
Coordinates
-15.06550, 167.01640
Temperature
22.9°C

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 60.7 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 60.7 km
Shallow
60.7 km
60.7 km — shallower than the regional average (98.2 km)
Regional average: 98.2 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

Tectonic context

Located on the New Hebrides Plate.
Near the boundary New Hebrides ↔ Australia · about 83 km away

Volcanoes nearby

  • Ambae Activity reported
    Distance: 95 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'496 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu
  • Gaua
    Distance: 102 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 729 m ·Last eruption: 2022 ·Vanuatu
  • Suretamatai
    Distance: 149 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 921 m ·Last eruption: 1966 ·Vanuatu
  • Motlav
    Distance: 170 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 411 m ·Vanuatu
  • Ambrym
    Distance: 177 km ·Shield(pyroclastic) ·Elevation: 1'334 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Vanuatu
  • Lopevi
    Distance: 214 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'413 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·Vanuatu

Vanuatu

Context for this earthquake

20 Sep 2025 – 20 Sep 2026 · M ≥ 3.0 · 93 Catalogue entries

Of 92 other entries for this area and period, 66 have a higher stored magnitude. Different magnitude types and reports not yet merged limit the comparison.

Open seismic profile

Historic earthquake map · Vanuatu

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Country statistics · Vanuatu

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

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
590
Country (24h)
Vanuatu
0
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