M4.5 Earthquake 168 km NW of Sola, Vanuatu — August 21, 2024
2024-08-21 18:07:23 UTC (2024-08-21) · approx. 5:07 AM UTC+11 local
On August 21, 2024 at 18:07 UTC, a magnitude 4.5 shallow crustal earthquake struck 168 km NW of Sola, Vanuatu, at a depth of 63.8 km and coordinates -12.9002°, 166.3581°. This earthquake was detected by 31 seismic stations with moderate 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
166.3581°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 168 km NW of Sola, Vanuatu on August 21, 2024 at 18:07 UTC had a depth of 63.8 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -12.9002°, 166.3581°, which is 168 km NW 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: us7000ndjj). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2024, August 21, 2024). M4.5 Earthquake 168 km NW of Sola, Vanuatu — August 21, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000ndjj/