M4.2 Earthquake 277 km ESE of Sola, Vanuatu — September 9, 2026
2026-09-09 19:14:23 UTC (2026-09-09) · approx. 6:14 AM UTC+11 local
On September 9, 2026 at 19:14 UTC, a magnitude 4.2 deep-focus earthquake struck 277 km ESE of Sola, Vanuatu, at a depth of 614.1 km and coordinates -14.4903°, 170.0448°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.2 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 30 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 476 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
170.0448°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.2 earthquake near Sola, Vanuatu?
The magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck 277 km ESE of Sola, Vanuatu on September 9, 2026 at 19:14 UTC had a depth of 614.1 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 4.2 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Actions
Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.2 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000thum). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, September 9, 2026). M4.2 Earthquake 277 km ESE of Sola, Vanuatu — September 9, 2026. Retrieved October 2, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000thum/