Back to map
M5.1 Depth: 40.0 km

M5.1 Earthquake near VANUATU

UTC time: 2025-09-17 12:02:40 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.1 earthquake was recorded near VANUATU on September 17, 2025 at 12:02 UTC. The hypocenter lay relatively close to the surface at around 40 km, increasing how strongly it was felt. Earthquakes of this magnitude can damage poorly built structures.

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

Details

Magnitude
M5.1
Depth
40.0 km
UTC time
2025-09-17 12:02:40 UTC
Local time
—
Country
—
Source
emsc
Coordinates
-19.37080, 168.49850
Temperature
23.8°C

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 40 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 40 km
Shallow
40 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 Vila182.8 kmN35'901

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Yasur
    Distance: 101 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 361 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·Vanuatu
  • Traitor's Head
    Distance: 104 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 817 m ·Last eruption: 1881 ·Vanuatu
  • Nguna-Emau
    Distance: 214 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 589 m ·Vanuatu
  • Gemini-Oscostar
    Distance: 245 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -33 m ·Last eruption: 1996 ·Vanuatu
  • Kuwae
    Distance: 282 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: -2 m ·Last eruption: 1974 ·Vanuatu
  • East Epi
    Distance: 299 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 833 m ·Last eruption: 2023 ·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 hours0
Strongest subsequent eventM5.3
M5.32025-09-25 23:16:49 UTC92.9 kmLoyalty Islands M5.22025-09-25 23:16:49 UTC117.2 kmEvent of magnitude 5.2, near of Nouméa (Monde) M5.32025-09-25 23:16:51 UTC105.8 kmVANUATU M5.02025-09-27 09:49:29 UTC52.4 km32 km W of Isangel, Vanuatu M4.82025-09-27 09:49:30 UTC51.3 kmVanuatu Islands M4.72025-10-03 18:12:34 UTC102.8 km24 km ENE of Isangel, Vanuatu M4.62025-10-09 00:27:08 UTC30.2 km56 km WNW of Isangel, Vanuatu

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#8
Earlier events M≥440
Earlier events M≥516
Compared since2025-01-21

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

Strongest earlier events

M5.72025-03-28 01:20:04 UTC37.4 km66 km NW of Isangel, Vanuatu M5.62025-07-13 06:16:52 UTC144.4 kmVanuatu Islands M5.32025-07-13 06:16:50 UTC137.3 km45 km S of Port-Vila, Vanuatu M5.32025-07-13 06:16:50 UTC140.9 kmVANUATU M5.22025-09-17 12:02:39 UTC11.1 kmVanuatu Islands

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
656
Country (24h)
—
—
Current earthquakes in
Magnitude Place Local time
No recent events available.

Share