M4.5 Earthquake 188 km NNW of Sola, Vanuatu — August 18, 2023
2023-08-18 20:36:15 UTC (2023-08-18) · approx. 7:36 AM UTC+11 local
On August 18, 2023 at 20:36 UTC, a magnitude 4.5 intermediate depth earthquake struck 188 km NNW of Sola, Vanuatu, at a depth of 285.6 km and coordinates -12.2267°, 167.1038°. This earthquake was detected by 66 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 312, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 85 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 767 m — 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
167.1038°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.5 earthquake near Sola, Vanuatu?
The magnitude 4.5 earthquake that struck 188 km NNW of Sola, Vanuatu on August 18, 2023 at 20:36 UTC had a depth of 285.6 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -12.2267°, 167.1038°, which is 188 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 4.5 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 4.5 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000kqqu). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2023, August 18, 2023). M4.5 Earthquake 188 km NNW of Sola, Vanuatu — August 18, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000kqqu/