M6.1 Earthquake 98 km WNW of Isangel, Vanuatu — March 20, 2026
2026-03-20 02:30:34 UTC (2026-03-20) · approx. 1:30 PM UTC+11 local
0Maximum shaking intensity MMI 4.3 (moderate).
On March 20, 2026 at 02:30 UTC, a magnitude 6.1 shallow crustal earthquake struck 98 km WNW of Isangel, Vanuatu, at a depth of 21.0 km and coordinates -19.2794°, 168.3806°.0 The USGS PAGER system issued a green alert level for this event, indicating no significant casualties or damage expected. This earthquake was detected by 99 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 572, placing it among routine seismic activity. The nearest populated place is Lenakel (population 1,507).
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 6.1 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 21 kilotons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 9.7 km — 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
Nearest Populated Places
ShakeMap — predicted shaking intensity
Modeled ground-motion intensity contoured on the Modified Mercalli scale (MMI). Computed by the USGS from the moment-tensor solution and regional ground-motion prediction equations.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey ShakeMap. View interactive ShakeMap on USGS
Did You Feel It? — community-reported shaking
Aggregated felt-report intensity from submitted citizen responses to the USGS Did You Feel It? system. Each colored zone represents the average MMI from reports in that area.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey Did You Feel It?. View on USGS · submit your own report
Population exposure (USGS PAGER)
Estimated population that experienced each level of shaking. Based on the USGS PAGER rapid impact assessment, which combines ShakeMap output with global population grids.
| Shaking intensity (MMI) | Description | Population exposed |
|---|---|---|
| MMI 3 | weak | 95,695 |
| MMI 4 | light | 62,061 |
Earthquake Details
168.3806°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 6.1 earthquake near Isangel, Vanuatu?
The magnitude 6.1 earthquake that struck 98 km WNW of Isangel, Vanuatu on March 20, 2026 at 02:30 UTC had a depth of 21.0 km. For context, this was a strong earthquake capable of causing significant damage.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -19.2794°, 168.3806°, which is 98 km WNW of Isangel, Vanuatu. The nearest populated place is Lenakel (population 1,507). View all earthquakes in Vanuatu.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 6.1 earthquakes can continue for weeks to months 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 6.1 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
What should I do after an earthquake?
If you were in the affected area: check yourself and others for injuries, inspect your home for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. For detailed guidance, see our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000shnl). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, March 20, 2026). M6.1 Earthquake 98 km WNW of Isangel, Vanuatu — March 20, 2026. Retrieved May 12, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000shnl/