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M5.1 Depth: 160.2 km

M5.1 Earthquake near Sanma (Vanuatu)

UTC time: 2026-07-09 12:52:57 UTC Local time: —
M5.1 earthquake near Sanma on Jul 9, 2026 — map of epicenter and shaking intensity | QuakeMap24
M5.1 Earthquake near Sanma (Vanuatu) · 2026-07-09 12:52:57 UTC

About this earthquake

On July 9, 2026 at 12:52 UTC, a magnitude M5.1 earthquake occurred near Sanma (Vanuatu). The earthquake originated at an intermediate depth of about 160 km. Events of this size can cause damage near the epicenter.

The event was recorded by USGS.

Details

Magnitude
M5.1
Depth
160.2 km
UTC time
2026-07-09 12:52:57 UTC
Local time
—
Country
Vanuatu
State
Sanma
City
Sanma
Source
usgs
Coordinates
-14.56870, 167.32640
Temperature
24.5°C

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 160.2 km (Intermediate) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 160.2 km
Intermediate
160.2 km
160.2 km — deeper than 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

Tectonic context

Located on the New Hebrides Plate.
Near the boundary New Hebrides ↔ Pacific · about 104 km away

Nearby population centers

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

PlaceDistanceDirectionPopulation
Port Vila367.7 kmS35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Gaua
    Distance: 38 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 729 m ·Last eruption: 2022 ·Vanuatu
  • Suretamatai
    Distance: 87 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 921 m ·Last eruption: 1966 ·Vanuatu
  • Ambae
    Distance: 106 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'496 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu
  • Motlav
    Distance: 107 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 411 m ·Vanuatu
  • Ambrym
    Distance: 205 km ·Shield(pyroclastic) ·Elevation: 1'334 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Vanuatu
  • Lopevi
    Distance: 242 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 hours0
First 72 hours1
Strongest subsequent eventM4.6
M4.62026-07-12 03:04:07 UTC57.8 kmSanma

Comparison of seismic sources

3 sources currently report magnitudes from M5.1 to M5.2.

Measurements can differ because agencies use different networks and calculation methods. Values may be revised.

SourceMagnitudeDepthPosition difference
EMSCM5.2135.1 km31.7 km
USGSM5.1160.2 km0.0 km
GFZM5.1172.0 km5.4 km

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#47
Earlier events M≥4126
Earlier events M≥569
Compared since2025-01-04

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

Strongest earlier events

M7.32026-03-30 08:44:13 UTC86.7 km48 km ENE of Luganville, Vanuatu M7.32026-03-30 08:44:10 UTC79.9 kmVANUATU M7.32026-03-30 08:44:08 UTC81.5 km###.# km ( ###.# mi) WSW (az= 251.1) from Quartzsite, AZ M7.32026-03-30 08:44:08 UTC80.8 kmVanuatu Islands M7.32026-03-30 08:44:08 UTC84.1 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)
641
Country (24h)
Vanuatu
0
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