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M5.6 Depth: 35.0 km

M5.6 Earthquake near Torba (Vanuatu)

UTC time: 2026-01-09 23:19:36 UTC Local time: —
M5.6 earthquake near Torba on Jan 9, 2026 — map of epicenter and shaking intensity | QuakeMap24
M5.6 Earthquake near Torba (Vanuatu) · 2026-01-09 23:19:36 UTC

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.6 earthquake was recorded near Torba (Vanuatu) on January 9, 2026 at 23:19 UTC. With a focal depth of about 35 km, this was a shallow earthquake, whose shaking is usually felt more strongly at the surface. Events of this size can cause damage near the epicenter.

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

Details

Magnitude
M5.6
Depth
35.0 km
UTC time
2026-01-09 23:19:36 UTC
Local time
—
Country
Vanuatu
State
Torba
City
Torba
Source
usgs
Coordinates
-13.77510, 166.64630
Temperature
27.8°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
35 km — shallower than the regional average (111.6 km)
Regional average: 111.6 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 Vila475.2 kmS35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Suretamatai
    Distance: 89 km ·Complex ·Elevation: 921 m ·Last eruption: 1966 ·Vanuatu
  • Gaua
    Distance: 109 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 729 m ·Last eruption: 2022 ·Vanuatu
  • Motlav
    Distance: 111 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 411 m ·Vanuatu
  • Ambae
    Distance: 220 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'496 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu
  • Ambrym
    Distance: 317 km ·Shield(pyroclastic) ·Elevation: 1'334 m ·Last eruption: 2024 ·Vanuatu
  • Lopevi
    Distance: 354 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'413 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·Vanuatu

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#4
Earlier events M≥480
Earlier events M≥533
Compared since2025-01-04

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

Strongest earlier events

M5.92025-05-28 08:57:48 UTC87.2 km52 km SW of Sola, Vanuatu M5.92025-05-28 08:57:48 UTC88.8 kmVanuatu Islands M5.92025-05-28 08:57:47 UTC89.4 kmVANUATU M5.62026-01-09 23:19:34 UTC0.0 kmTorba M5.62025-12-23 20:42:00 UTC117.4 km38 km NNE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu

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)
740
Country (24h)
Vanuatu
0
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