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M5.2 Depth: 10.0 km

M5.2 Earthquake near Gwaunatafu, Malaita (Solomon Islands)

UTC time: 2026-05-16 15:17:55 UTC Local time: —
M5.2 earthquake near Gwaunatafu on May 16, 2026 — map of epicenter and shaking intensity | QuakeMap24
M5.2 Earthquake near Gwaunatafu, Malaita (Solomon Islands) · 2026-05-16 15:17:55 UTC

About this earthquake

On May 16, 2026 at 15:17 UTC, a magnitude M5.2 earthquake occurred near Gwaunatafu, Malaita (Solomon Islands). The hypocenter lay relatively close to the surface at around 10 km, increasing how strongly it was felt. Events of this size can cause damage near the epicenter.

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

Details

Magnitude
M5.2
Depth
10.0 km
UTC time
2026-05-16 15:17:55 UTC
Local time
—
Country
Solomon Islands
State
Malaita
City
Gwaunatafu
Village
Gwaunatafu
Source
resif
Coordinates
-8.50661, 160.70816
Temperature
25.4°C

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 10 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 10 km
Shallow
10 km
10 km — shallower than the regional average (69.8 km)
Regional average: 69.8 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
Malango124.9 kmSW15'560

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Savo
    Distance: 121 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 455 m ·Last eruption: 1847 ·Solomon Islands
  • New Georgia at 8.9°S
    Distance: 298 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -240 m ·Solomon Islands
  • Kavachi
    Distance: 305 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -20 m ·Last eruption: 2014 ·Solomon Islands
  • Coleman Seamount
    Distance: 392 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -717 m ·Solomon Islands
  • Kana Keoki
    Distance: 405 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -700 m ·Solomon Islands
  • Simbo
    Distance: 461 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 335 m ·Last eruption: 1910 ·Solomon Islands

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 eventM5.7
M5.72026-05-16 15:17:56 UTC23.4 kmMalaita

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#2
Earlier events M≥45
Earlier events M≥52
Compared since2025-01-27

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

Strongest earlier events

M5.72026-05-16 15:17:54 UTC18.0 kmMalaita M5.12025-08-04 03:54:13 UTC91.8 kmSOLOMON ISLANDS M4.72025-03-27 16:16:27 UTC32.1 km44 km NW of Auki, Solomon Islands M4.52025-10-25 13:44:45 UTC141.7 kmSOLOMON ISLANDS M4.52025-01-27 01:56:30 UTC85.4 km6 km E of Tulagi, Solomon Islands

Historic earthquake map · Solomon Islands

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 · Solomon Islands

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

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
612
Country (24h)
Solomon Islands
0
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No recent events available.

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