M5.0 Earthquake 87 km S of Isangel, Vanuatu — August 20, 2026
2026-08-20 00:20:24 UTC (36 min ago) · approx. 11:20 AM UTC+11 local
On August 20, 2026 at 00:20 UTC, a magnitude 5.0 intermediate depth earthquake struck 87 km S of Isangel, Vanuatu, at a depth of 72.9 km and coordinates -20.3240°, 169.1514°. This earthquake was detected by 46 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 385, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.0 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 477 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.7 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
Earthquake Details
169.1514°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.0 earthquake near Isangel, Vanuatu?
The magnitude 5.0 earthquake that struck 87 km S of Isangel, Vanuatu on August 20, 2026 at 00:20 UTC had a depth of 72.9 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -20.3240°, 169.1514°, which is 87 km S of Isangel, Vanuatu. View all earthquakes in Vanuatu.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.0 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks 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 5.0 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000tm16). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, August 20, 2026). M5.0 Earthquake 87 km S of Isangel, Vanuatu — August 20, 2026. Retrieved August 20, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000tm16/