M5.7 Depth: 10.0 km

M5.7 Earthquake near Malaita (Solomon Islands)

UTC time: 2026-05-16 15:17:54 UTC Local time: —

M5.7 earthquake near Malaita on May 16, 2026 — map of epicenter and shaking intensity | QuakeMap24 — M5.7 Earthquake near Malaita (Solomon Islands) · 2026-05-16 15:17:54 UTC

About this earthquake

On May 16, 2026 at 15:17 UTC, a magnitude M5.7 earthquake occurred near Malaita (Solomon Islands). The hypocenter lay relatively close to the surface at around 10 km, increasing how strongly it was felt. Earthquakes of this magnitude can damage poorly built structures.

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

Details

Magnitude

M5.7

Depth

10.0 km

UTC time

2026-05-16 15:17:54 UTC

Local time

—

Country

Solomon Islands

State

Malaita

City

Malaita

Source

gfz

Coordinates

-8.48000, 160.87000

Temperature

25.3°C

Map

Depth profile

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

Malango138.2 kmSW15'560

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

Savo

Distance: 137 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 455 m ·Last eruption: 1847 ·Solomon Islands
New Georgia at 8.9°S

Distance: 316 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -240 m ·Solomon Islands
Kavachi

Distance: 323 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -20 m ·Last eruption: 2014 ·Solomon Islands
Coleman Seamount

Distance: 410 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -717 m ·Solomon Islands
Kana Keoki

Distance: 423 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: -700 m ·Solomon Islands
Simbo

Distance: 479 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 hours2

First 24 hours2

First 72 hours2

Strongest subsequent eventM5.7

M5.22026-05-16 15:17:55 UTC18.0 kmGwaunatafu M5.72026-05-16 15:17:56 UTC9.5 kmMalaita

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#1

Earlier events M≥44

Earlier events M≥51

Compared since2025-01-27

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

Strongest earlier events

M5.12025-08-04 03:54:13 UTC109.5 kmSOLOMON ISLANDS M4.72025-03-27 16:16:27 UTC49.7 km44 km NW of Auki, Solomon Islands M4.52025-10-25 13:44:45 UTC144.7 kmSOLOMON ISLANDS M4.52025-01-27 01:56:30 UTC99.7 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)

613

Country (24h)