M4.3 Earthquake 84 km ESE of Isangel, Vanuatu — December 17, 2020
2020-12-17 19:34:18 UTC (2020-12-17) · approx. 6:34 AM UTC+11 local
On December 17, 2020 at 19:34 UTC, a magnitude 4.3 shallow crustal earthquake struck 84 km ESE of Isangel, Vanuatu, at a depth of 35.8 km and coordinates -19.8797°, 170.0072°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 43 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 558 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 5.1 mainshock that occurred 25 days ago 85 km ESE of Isangel, Vanuatu. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 6 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
Earthquake Details
170.0072°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.3 earthquake near Isangel, Vanuatu?
The magnitude 4.3 earthquake that struck 84 km ESE of Isangel, Vanuatu on December 17, 2020 at 19:34 UTC had a depth of 35.8 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.3 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.1 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.3 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.1 mainshock that occurred earlier 85 km ESE of Isangel, Vanuatu. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.3 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000d1vg). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2020, December 17, 2020). M4.3 Earthquake 84 km ESE of Isangel, Vanuatu — December 17, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2021 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000d1vg/