4.2

M4.2 Earthquake 164 km NE of Sola, VanuatuApril 1, 2023

2023-04-01 18:27:32 UTC (2023-04-01) · approx. 5:27 AM UTC+11 local

MagnitudeM4.2(mb)
Time18:27 UTC5:27 AM UTC+11
Depth634.1 kmdeep-focus
Coordinates-12.934°, 168.731°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On April 1, 2023 at 18:27 UTC, a magnitude 4.2 deep-focus earthquake struck 164 km NE of Sola, Vanuatu, at a depth of 634.1 km and coordinates -12.9336°, 168.7311°.

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.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at -12.93°, 168.73°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.2 mb
Depth
634.1 km
deep-focus
Location
-12.9336°N
168.7311°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000k2dd
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
271
Stations Used
51
Azimuthal Gap
55.0°
Min Station Distance
8.688°
RMS Residual
0.46 sec
Last Updated
2023-06-03 22:06:21 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.2 earthquake near Sola, Vanuatu?

The magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck 164 km NE of Sola, Vanuatu on April 1, 2023 at 18:27 UTC had a depth of 634.1 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.

Understanding This Data

Magnitude 4.2 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.

Learn more about magnitude →

Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000k2dd). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2023, April 1, 2023). M4.2 Earthquake 164 km NE of Sola, VanuatuApril 1, 2023. Retrieved June 3, 2023 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000k2dd/