M4.2 Earthquake 74 km NW of Sola, Vanuatu — September 23, 2026
2026-09-23 17:40:08 UTC (2026-09-23) · approx. 4:40 AM UTC+11 local
On September 23, 2026 at 17:40 UTC, a magnitude 4.2 intermediate depth earthquake struck 74 km NW of Sola, Vanuatu, at a depth of 184.2 km and coordinates -13.4309°, 167.0298°.
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
167.0298°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.2 earthquake near Sola, Vanuatu?
The magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck 74 km NW of Sola, Vanuatu on September 23, 2026 at 17:40 UTC had a depth of 184.2 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.
Actions
Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.2 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000tydt). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, September 23, 2026). M4.2 Earthquake 74 km NW of Sola, Vanuatu — September 23, 2026. Retrieved October 15, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000tydt/