M4.1 Earthquake 16 km S of Port-Vila, Vanuatu — December 17, 2024
2024-12-17 20:59:26 UTC (2024-12-17) · approx. 7:59 AM UTC+11 local
On December 17, 2024 at 20:59 UTC, a magnitude 4.1 shallow crustal earthquake struck 16 km S of Port-Vila, Vanuatu, at a depth of 59.3 km and coordinates -17.8854°, 168.2959°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.1 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 21 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 406 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
168.2959°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.1 earthquake near Port-Vila, Vanuatu?
The magnitude 4.1 earthquake that struck 16 km S of Port-Vila, Vanuatu on December 17, 2024 at 20:59 UTC had a depth of 59.3 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 4.1 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.1 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000phgg). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2024, December 17, 2024). M4.1 Earthquake 16 km S of Port-Vila, Vanuatu — December 17, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2025 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000phgg/