M4.2 Earthquake in the Vanuatu region — September 20, 2026
2026-09-20 02:50:09 UTC (2026-09-20) · approx. 1:50 PM UTC+11 local
On September 20, 2026 at 02:50 UTC, a magnitude 4.2 deep-focus earthquake struck in the Vanuatu region, at a depth of 665.1 km and coordinates -14.5749°, 170.4038°.
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.
Earthquake Details
170.4038°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.2 earthquake in the Vanuatu region?
The magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck in the Vanuatu region on September 20, 2026 at 02:50 UTC had a depth of 665.1 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.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.2 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000txkp). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, September 20, 2026). M4.2 Earthquake in the Vanuatu region — September 20, 2026. Retrieved October 3, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000txkp/