M4.4 Earthquake 114 km E of Port-Olry, Vanuatu — September 26, 2023
2023-09-26 16:31:51 UTC (2023-09-26) · approx. 3:31 AM UTC+11 local
On September 26, 2023 at 16:31 UTC, a magnitude 4.4 shallow crustal earthquake struck 114 km E of Port-Olry, Vanuatu, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates -14.9766°, 168.1312°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.4 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 60 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 655 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 5.0 mainshock that occurred 27 days ago 97 km SE of Sola, Vanuatu. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 0 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
Earthquake Details
168.1312°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.4 earthquake near Port-Olry, Vanuatu?
The magnitude 4.4 earthquake that struck 114 km E of Port-Olry, Vanuatu on September 26, 2023 at 16:31 UTC had a depth of 10.0 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 4.4 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.0 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.4 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.0 mainshock that occurred earlier 97 km SE of Sola, Vanuatu. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.4 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000lbpa). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2023, September 26, 2023). M4.4 Earthquake 114 km E of Port-Olry, Vanuatu — September 26, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000lbpa/