M5.1 Earthquake 103 km SW of Isangel, Vanuatu — December 19, 2024
2024-12-19 18:36:13 UTC (2024-12-19) · approx. 5:36 AM UTC+11 local
Aftershock of the M5.4 mainshock.
On December 19, 2024 at 18:36 UTC, a magnitude 5.1 shallow crustal earthquake struck 103 km SW of Isangel, Vanuatu, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates -20.1481°, 168.5242°. This earthquake was detected by 54 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 400, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 674 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.0 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 5.4 mainshock that occurred 25 days ago 96 km SSW of Isangel, Vanuatu. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 8 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
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
168.5242°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.1 earthquake near Isangel, Vanuatu?
The magnitude 5.1 earthquake that struck 103 km SW of Isangel, Vanuatu on December 19, 2024 at 18:36 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -20.1481°, 168.5242°, which is 103 km SW of Isangel, Vanuatu. View all earthquakes in Vanuatu.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.1 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.4 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 5.1 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.4 mainshock that occurred earlier 96 km SSW of Isangel, Vanuatu. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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 5.1 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000p04r). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2024, December 19, 2024). M5.1 Earthquake 103 km SW of Isangel, Vanuatu — December 19, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2025 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000p04r/