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M5.0 Depth: 35.0 km

M5.0 Earthquake near VANUATU

UTC time: 2026-05-31 02:48:01 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.0 earthquake was recorded near VANUATU on May 31, 2026 at 02:48 UTC. With a focal depth of about 35 km, this was a shallow earthquake, whose shaking is usually felt more strongly at the surface. Earthquakes of this magnitude can damage poorly built structures.

The event was recorded by EMSC.

Details

Magnitude
M5.0
Depth
35.0 km
UTC time
2026-05-31 02:48:01 UTC
Local time
—
Country
—
Source
emsc
Coordinates
-17.36160, 167.75100
Temperature
27.6°C

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 35 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 35 km
Shallow
35 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 Vila72.8 kmSE35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Nguna-Emau
    Distance: 65 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 589 m ·Vanuatu
  • Kuwae
    Distance: 101 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: -2 m ·Last eruption: 1974 ·Vanuatu
  • East Epi
    Distance: 102 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 833 m ·Last eruption: 2023 ·Vanuatu
  • Lopevi
    Distance: 114 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'413 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·Vanuatu
  • Ambrym
    Distance: 130 km ·Shield(pyroclastic) ·Elevation: 1'334 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Vanuatu
  • Ambae
    Distance: 220 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'496 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#26
Earlier events M≥4107
Earlier events M≥543
Compared since2025-01-01

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

Strongest earlier events

M6.02026-05-19 02:29:24 UTC97.0 kmVanuatu Islands M5.92026-05-19 02:29:26 UTC106.6 kmVanuatu Islands [Sea: Vanuatu] M5.92025-05-11 11:22:21 UTC68.1 kmVANUATU M5.92025-02-10 00:09:43 UTC11.1 km65 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.92025-02-10 00:09:42 UTC20.4 km53 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
659
Country (24h)
—
—
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