M4.5 Earthquake 70 km N of Port-Vila, Vanuatu — January 22, 2021
2021-01-22 19:56:35 UTC (2021-01-22) · approx. 6:56 AM UTC+11 local
On January 22, 2021 at 19:56 UTC, a magnitude 4.5 intermediate depth earthquake struck 70 km N of Port-Vila, Vanuatu, at a depth of 220.4 km and coordinates -17.1020°, 168.3689°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 85 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 767 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
The epicenter is located in Vanuatu, a region characterized by the New Hebrides subduction zone, where the Australian Plate subducts eastward at approximately 90 mm per year. View all earthquakes in Vanuatu.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
168.3689°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.5 earthquake near Port-Vila, Vanuatu?
The magnitude 4.5 earthquake that struck 70 km N of Port-Vila, Vanuatu on January 22, 2021 at 19:56 UTC had a depth of 220.4 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -17.1020°, 168.3689°, which is 70 km N of Port-Vila, Vanuatu. View all earthquakes in Vanuatu.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.5 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Has Vanuatu had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in Vanuatu was the M7.9 Vanuatu earthquake of October 7, 2009. Today's magnitude 4.5 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000dcyn). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2021, January 22, 2021). M4.5 Earthquake 70 km N of Port-Vila, Vanuatu — January 22, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2021 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000dcyn/