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M5.3 Depth: 36.9 km

M5.3 Earthquake near 7 km E of Lakatoro, Vanuatu

UTC time: 2025-01-04 22:23:37 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.3 earthquake was recorded near 7 km E of Lakatoro, Vanuatu on January 4, 2025 at 22:23 UTC. The hypocenter lay relatively close to the surface at around 37 km, increasing how strongly it was felt. Events of this size can cause damage near the epicenter.

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

Details

Magnitude
M5.3
Depth
36.9 km
UTC time
2025-01-04 22:23:37 UTC
Local time
—
Country
—
Source
usgs
Coordinates
-16.10140, 167.48280

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 36.9 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 36.9 km
Shallow
36.9 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 Vila202.2 kmSE35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Ambrym
    Distance: 70 km ·Shield(pyroclastic) ·Elevation: 1'334 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Vanuatu
  • Ambae
    Distance: 88 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'496 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu
  • Lopevi
    Distance: 103 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'413 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·Vanuatu
  • East Epi
    Distance: 116 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 833 m ·Last eruption: 2023 ·Vanuatu
  • Kuwae
    Distance: 137 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: -2 m ·Last eruption: 1974 ·Vanuatu
  • Nguna-Emau
    Distance: 176 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 hours1
First 24 hours1
First 72 hours1
Strongest subsequent eventM4.8
M4.32025-01-04 23:06:57 UTC104.6 km84 km ENE of Luganville, Vanuatu M4.32025-01-12 15:42:49 UTC138.9 km122 km E of Port-Olry, Vanuatu M4.82025-01-17 17:34:33 UTC142.5 km52 km ENE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu M4.42025-01-17 20:55:10 UTC68.0 km68 km S of Lakatoro, Vanuatu M4.52025-01-19 00:27:33 UTC74.7 km67 km E of Luganville, Vanuatu M4.32025-01-22 04:12:08 UTC137.2 km24 km NE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu M4.72025-02-03 05:06:58 UTC71.0 km66 km E of Luganville, Vanuatu

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#1
Earlier events M≥41
Earlier events M≥50
Compared since2025-01-01

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

Strongest earlier events

M4.52025-01-01 22:55:44 UTC94.3 km92 km S of Lakatoro, Vanuatu

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
656
Country (24h)
—
—
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