M4.3 Earthquake 35 km WNW of Sola, Vanuatu — March 19, 2026
2026-03-19 22:06:27 UTC (2026-03-19) · approx. 9:06 AM UTC+11 local
On March 19, 2026 at 22:06 UTC, a magnitude 4.3 intermediate depth earthquake struck 35 km WNW of Sola, Vanuatu, at a depth of 211.4 km and coordinates -13.8042°, 167.2330°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 43 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 558 m — 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 26 days ago 55 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.
Earthquake Details
167.2330°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.3 earthquake near Sola, Vanuatu?
The magnitude 4.3 earthquake that struck 35 km WNW of Sola, Vanuatu on March 19, 2026 at 22:06 UTC had a depth of 211.4 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.3 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M6.0 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.3 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 6.0 mainshock that occurred earlier 55 km W of Sola, Vanuatu. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.3 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000s872). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, March 19, 2026). M4.3 Earthquake 35 km WNW of Sola, Vanuatu — March 19, 2026. Retrieved June 4, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000s872/