4.2

M4.2 Earthquake 48 km E of Luganville, VanuatuMarch 30, 2026

2026-03-30 19:58:25 UTC (2026-03-30) · approx. 6:58 AM UTC+11 local

MagnitudeM4.2(mb)
Time19:58 UTC6:58 AM UTC+11
Depth130.3 kmintermediate depth
Coordinates-15.456°, 167.608°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On March 30, 2026 at 19:58 UTC, a magnitude 4.2 intermediate depth earthquake struck 48 km E of Luganville, Vanuatu, at a depth of 130.3 km and coordinates -15.4559°, 167.6079°.

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 -15.46°, 167.61°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.2 mb
Depth
130.3 km
intermediate depth
Location
-15.4559°N
167.6079°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000snt2
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
271
Stations Used
17
Azimuthal Gap
164.0°
Min Station Distance
0.390°
RMS Residual
0.38 sec
Last Updated
2026-06-10 15:14:48 UTC

Common Questions

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

The magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck 48 km E of Luganville, Vanuatu on March 30, 2026 at 19:58 UTC had a depth of 130.3 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 4.2 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.

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: us6000snt2). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, March 30, 2026). M4.2 Earthquake 48 km E of Luganville, VanuatuMarch 30, 2026. Retrieved June 10, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000snt2/