M4.8 Earthquake 56 km NNW of Sola, Vanuatu — August 15, 2021
2021-08-15 21:02:27 UTC (2021-08-15) · approx. 8:02 AM UTC+11 local
On August 15, 2021 at 21:02 UTC, a magnitude 4.8 shallow crustal earthquake struck 56 km NNW of Sola, Vanuatu, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates -13.3829°, 167.4325°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.8 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 239 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.2 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
167.4325°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.8 earthquake near Sola, Vanuatu?
The magnitude 4.8 earthquake that struck 56 km NNW of Sola, Vanuatu on August 15, 2021 at 21:02 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -13.3829°, 167.4325°, which is 56 km NNW of Sola, Vanuatu. View all earthquakes in Vanuatu.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.8 earthquakes can continue for several days 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 4.8 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000f49c). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2021, August 15, 2021). M4.8 Earthquake 56 km NNW of Sola, Vanuatu — August 15, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000f49c/