M4.2 Earthquake 48 km NNE of Isangel, Vanuatu — May 17, 2022
2022-05-17 19:56:39 UTC (2022-05-17) · approx. 6:56 AM UTC+11 local
On May 17, 2022 at 19:56 UTC, a magnitude 4.2 intermediate depth earthquake struck 48 km NNE of Isangel, Vanuatu, at a depth of 200.8 km and coordinates -19.1691°, 169.5302°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.2 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 30 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 476 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
169.5302°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.2 earthquake near Isangel, Vanuatu?
The magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck 48 km NNE of Isangel, Vanuatu on May 17, 2022 at 19:56 UTC had a depth of 200.8 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 4.2 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Actions
Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.2 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000hnc3). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2022, May 17, 2022). M4.2 Earthquake 48 km NNE of Isangel, Vanuatu — May 17, 2022. Retrieved July 24, 2022 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000hnc3/