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Vanuatu · Sanma

M6.2 Earthquake near Sanma (Vanuatu)

UTC time: 2026-10-25 02:24:03 UTC Local time: —

Map

M6.2 Earthquake near Sanma (Vanuatu) · 2026-10-25 — Map showing the location of the epicenter
M6.2 Earthquake near Sanma (Vanuatu) · 2026-10-25 — Map showing the location of the epicenter

About this earthquake

On October 25, 2026 at 02:24 UTC, a magnitude M6.2 earthquake occurred near Sanma (Vanuatu). The earthquake originated at an intermediate depth of about 136 km. Events of this size are considered strong and can be dangerous in inhabited regions.

The event was recorded by USGS.

Details

ID
d4de4ecd8a8e48492261a247915ac49e4cdf4b58
Magnitude
M6.2
Depth
136.3 km
UTC time
2026-10-25 02:24:03 UTC
Local time
—
Country
Vanuatu
State
Sanma
City
Sanma
Source
usgs
Coordinates
-15.01250, 167.26920
Temperature
26.0°C

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 136.3 km (Intermediate) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 136.3 km
Intermediate
136.3 km
136.3 km — deeper than the regional average (93.5 km)
Regional average: 93.5 km
Why depth matters

Intermediate-depth quakes are felt across a wider area but usually cause less surface damage.

Depth classes per USGS

Estimated impact

Green No or minimal impact expected.
Estimated population exposed
IV 102'821
4 Felt reports · max reported intensity 4.3

Ground shaking

IV
Light · Intensity (MMI) IV
Felt by many, no damage.

Tectonic context

Located on the New Hebrides Plate.
Near the boundary New Hebrides ↔ Australia · about 109 km away

Nearby population centers

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

PlaceDistanceDirectionPopulation
Port Vila324.6 kmS35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Ambae Activity reported
    Distance: 74 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'496 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu
  • Gaua
    Distance: 85 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 729 m ·Last eruption: 2022 ·Vanuatu
  • Suretamatai
    Distance: 137 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 921 m ·Last eruption: 1966 ·Vanuatu
  • Motlav
    Distance: 155 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 411 m ·Vanuatu
  • Ambrym Activity reported
    Distance: 165 km ·Shield(pyroclastic) ·Elevation: 1'334 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Vanuatu
  • Lopevi
    Distance: 202 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'413 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·Vanuatu

Radius · 100 km

Nearby infrastructure

Up to 3 nearest sites per category

Airports

  • Santo Pekoa International AirportVanuatu · SON · NVSS
    55.0 kmStraight-line distance
  • Walaha AirportVanuatu · WLH · NVSW
    63.4 kmStraight-line distance
  • North West Santo AirportVanuatu · OLJ · NVSZ
    77.8 kmStraight-line distance

Source: OurAirports · Dataset date: 2026-10-05

This selection shows geographic proximity, not a hazard zone or confirmed impacts. Distances use recorded site coordinates. Sources & data dates

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

Events recorded after this earthquake within 250 km. They are not automatically classified as aftershocks.

First 6 hours0
First 24 hours1
First 72 hours1
Strongest subsequent eventM5.4
M5.42026-10-25 08:41:00 UTC213.6 kmVanuatu Islands

Comparison of seismic sources

6 sources currently report magnitudes from M6.1 to M6.2.

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

SourceMagnitudeDepthPosition difference
SCEDCM6.2136.3 km0.0 km
EMSCM6.2130.0 km3.9 km
GFZM6.1125.0 km7.7 km
USGSM6.2136.3 km0.0 km
INGVM6.2141.0 km10.4 km
ISCM6.1143.0 km6.7 km

Vanuatu

Context for this earthquake

05 Oct 2025 – 05 Oct 2026 · M ≥ 3.0 · 85 Catalogue entries

Sufficiently reliable matching data are not currently available for a direct comparison. The area profile shows the available records and their limitations.

Open seismic profile

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 250 km.

Magnitude rank#17
Earlier events M≥4227
Earlier events M≥5116
Compared since2025-01-01

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 UTC46.5 km48 km ENE of Luganville, Vanuatu M7.32026-03-30 08:44:10 UTC33.5 kmVANUATU M7.32026-03-30 08:44:08 UTC36.5 km###.# km ( ###.# mi) WSW (az= 251.1) from Quartzsite, AZ M7.32026-03-30 08:44:08 UTC38.3 kmVanuatu Islands M7.32026-03-30 08:44:08 UTC41.2 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)
555
Country (24h)
Vanuatu
1
Current earthquakes in
Magnitude Place Local time
No recent events available.

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