M5.3 Earthquake 64 km WSW of Sola, Vanuatu — March 22, 2025
2025-03-22 12:51:43 UTC (2025-03-22) · approx. 11:51 PM UTC+11 local
Aftershock of the M6.0 mainshock.
On March 22, 2025 at 12:51 UTC, a magnitude 5.3 intermediate depth earthquake struck 64 km WSW of Sola, Vanuatu, at a depth of 119.7 km and coordinates -14.0776°, 166.9915°. This earthquake was detected by 70 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 432, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.3 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 1 kilotons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.7 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 6.0 mainshock that occurred 5 days ago 82 km W of Sola, Vanuatu. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 1 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for weeks to months 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
166.9915°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.3 earthquake near Sola, Vanuatu?
The magnitude 5.3 earthquake that struck 64 km WSW of Sola, Vanuatu on March 22, 2025 at 12:51 UTC had a depth of 119.7 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -14.0776°, 166.9915°, which is 64 km WSW of Sola, Vanuatu. View all earthquakes in Vanuatu.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.3 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M6.0 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 5.3 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 6.0 mainshock that occurred earlier 82 km W of Sola, 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 5.3 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000pluz). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, March 22, 2025). M5.3 Earthquake 64 km WSW of Sola, Vanuatu — March 22, 2025. Retrieved May 29, 2025 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000pluz/