M4.8 Earthquake 87 km NNW of Sola, Vanuatu — September 23, 2022
2022-09-23 16:06:05 UTC (2022-09-23) · approx. 3:06 AM UTC+11 local
On September 23, 2022 at 16:06 UTC, a magnitude 4.8 intermediate depth earthquake struck 87 km NNW of Sola, Vanuatu, at a depth of 216.6 km and coordinates -13.1701°, 167.1798°. This earthquake was detected by 54 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 354, placing it among routine seismic activity.
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
167.1798°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 87 km NNW of Sola, Vanuatu on September 23, 2022 at 16:06 UTC had a depth of 216.6 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -13.1701°, 167.1798°, which is 87 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: us7000iahz). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2022, September 23, 2022). M4.8 Earthquake 87 km NNW of Sola, Vanuatu — September 23, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000iahz/