Over the past 30 days, Vanuatu has recorded 14 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater in our tracker. 5 reached magnitude 5.0 or higher. 9 landed between M4.0 and M4.9. By depth: 9 shallow (<70 km), 5 intermediate (70–300 km). 4 of the epicenters were offshore. 4 events produced at least one felt report, totalling 23 citizen submissions to the USGS Did You Feel It? system. Focal depths ranged from 10.0 km to 131.6 km. All 14 solutions have been reviewed by a USGS seismologist.
Leading the list is a magnitude 5.7 event near 51 km SSW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu at 27.0 km depth, which drew 12 felt reports from the public and triggered a green PAGER alert. The second-ranked event, at magnitude 5.5 near 84 km ESE of Port-Vila, Vanuatu, trails by 0.2 magnitude units — a narrow gap, indicating two comparably energetic events in the current window. Rounding out the top three is a magnitude 5.3 earthquake near 94 km E of Port-Vila, Vanuatu.
Each row in the table below includes a narrative summary of the event, ordered by time. Use the column headers to sort or filter by magnitude.
| Time ↓ | Mag ↕ | Location ↕ | Depth ↕ | Felt ↕ | MMI | Alert | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 day ago 2026-05-19 14:18:39 UTC | 4.8mww | 13 km SSW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu -17.847°, 168.259° | 62.1 km | 8 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
This magnitude 4.8 event was detected 13 km SSW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu on May 19, 2026, with origin time 14:18 UTC. A small number of nearby observers (8) submitted felt reports to the USGS. The event originated approximately 62.1 km below the surface, classifying it as shallow crustal. The epicenter is at -17.847°, 168.259°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.8 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
1 day ago 2026-05-19 02:29:24 UTC | 5.7mww | 51 km SSW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu -18.151°, 168.093° | 27.0 km | 12 | IV | green | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On May 19, 2026 at 02:29 UTC, a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck 51 km SSW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu. Of every earthquake currently listed for Vanuatu, this one generated the most felt reports from the public. The USGS PAGER system assigned a green alert level for this event, signalling no significant casualties or damage expected. It is the largest earthquake currently listed for Vanuatu over the past 30 days. 12 people reported feeling the earthquake via the USGS Did You Feel It? system. Maximum shaking intensity peaked at MMI 4.0 (moderate). The hypocenter lay at 27.0 km, placing this in the shallow crustal category. The epicenter is at -18.151°, 168.093°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M5.7 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
4 days ago 2026-05-16 15:58:04 UTC | 5.5mww | 84 km ESE of Port-Vila, Vanuatu -17.904°, 169.094° | 10.0 km | 2 | IV | green | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake was recorded 84 km ESE of Port-Vila, Vanuatu on May 16, 2026 at 15:58 UTC. The USGS PAGER system assigned a green alert level for this event, signalling no significant casualties or damage expected. At just 10.0 km, it was the shallowest earthquake in the current dataset — a shallow crustal event. On the Modified Mercalli scale, shaking reached 4.1 — considered moderate. It ranks as the second largest event in the current dataset. A small number of nearby observers (2) submitted felt reports to the USGS. Geolocation places the event at -17.904°N, 169.094°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M5.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
4 days ago 2026-05-16 15:35:20 UTC | 4.9mb | 60 km ESE of Port-Vila, Vanuatu -17.883°, 168.862° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 4.9 earthquake 60 km ESE of Port-Vila, Vanuatu at 15:35 UTC on May 16, 2026. At just 10.0 km, it was the shallowest earthquake in the current dataset — a shallow crustal event. Coordinates: -17.883°, 168.862°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.9 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
4 days ago 2026-05-16 14:07:54 UTC | 5.2mww | 93 km E of Port-Vila, Vanuatu -17.789°, 169.198° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On May 16, 2026, Vanuatu registered a magnitude 5.2 earthquake 93 km E of Port-Vila, Vanuatu at 14:07 UTC. It arrived roughly 1 hours after a larger magnitude 5.3 mainshock in the same 20 km area, placing it within the typical aftershock window. At just 10.0 km, it was the shallowest earthquake in the current dataset — a shallow crustal event. It ranks as the fourth largest event in the current dataset. The event was offshore — common for earthquakes along subduction zones and transform plate boundaries. The epicenter is at -17.789°, 169.198°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M5.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
4 days ago 2026-05-16 12:59:30 UTC | 5.3mww | 94 km E of Port-Vila, Vanuatu -17.850°, 169.194° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 5.3 earthquake 94 km E of Port-Vila, Vanuatu with origin time 12:59 UTC on May 16, 2026. At just 10.0 km, it was the shallowest earthquake in the current dataset — a shallow crustal event. It ranks as the third largest event in the current dataset. The event was offshore — common for earthquakes along subduction zones and transform plate boundaries. Coordinates: -17.850°, 169.194°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M5.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
5 days ago 2026-05-15 18:28:04 UTC | 4.6mb | 95 km ESE of Port-Vila, Vanuatu -17.987°, 169.176° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 4.6 seismic event took place 95 km ESE of Port-Vila, Vanuatu on May 15, 2026 at 18:28 UTC. At just 10.0 km, it was the shallowest earthquake in the current dataset — a shallow crustal event. Coordinates: -17.987°, 169.176°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.6 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-06 2026-05-06 12:55:50 UTC | 4.8mb | 113 km W of Port-Vila, Vanuatu -17.855°, 167.246° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 4.8 earthquake 113 km W of Port-Vila, Vanuatu came in on May 6, 2026 at 12:55 UTC. At just 10.0 km, it was the shallowest earthquake in the current dataset — a shallow crustal event. The event was offshore — common for earthquakes along subduction zones and transform plate boundaries. Geolocation places the event at -17.855°N, 167.246°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.8 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-06 2026-05-06 01:12:37 UTC | 4.4mb | 84 km SSE of Lakatoro, Vanuatu -16.790°, 167.753° | 32.9 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On May 6, 2026 at 01:12 UTC, a magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck 84 km SSE of Lakatoro, Vanuatu. The event originated approximately 32.9 km below the surface, classifying it as shallow crustal. Geolocation places the event at -16.790°N, 167.753°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-04-28 2026-04-28 05:55:09 UTC | 4.3mb | 22 km ENE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu -14.944°, 167.257° | 116.5 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 4.3 earthquake was recorded 22 km ENE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu on April 28, 2026 at 05:55 UTC. This was a intermediate depth earthquake, focused at 116.5 km depth. Coordinates: -14.944°, 167.257°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-04-25 2026-04-25 07:04:59 UTC | 4.6mb | 35 km NNE of Luganville, Vanuatu -15.248°, 167.335° | 131.6 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
April 25, 2026 brought a magnitude 4.6 earthquake 35 km NNE of Luganville, Vanuatu, logged at 07:04 UTC. At 131.6 km, this is the deepest earthquake in the current dataset — firmly in the intermediate depth category. The epicenter is at -15.248°, 167.335°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.6 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-04-24 2026-04-24 12:48:49 UTC | 4.3mb | 27 km ESE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu -15.121°, 167.315° | 127.2 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 4.3 earthquake 27 km ESE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu with origin time 12:48 UTC on April 24, 2026. The hypocenter lay at 127.2 km, placing this in the intermediate depth category. The epicenter is at -15.121°, 167.315°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-04-23 2026-04-23 06:27:03 UTC | 4.2mb | 115 km NW of Sola, Vanuatu -13.121°, 166.815° | 122.7 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On April 23, 2026, Vanuatu registered a magnitude 4.2 earthquake 115 km NW of Sola, Vanuatu at 06:27 UTC. At a depth of 122.7 km, the event was intermediate depth. The offshore location combined with this depth is characteristic of seismicity along descending slabs. Geolocation places the event at -13.121°N, 166.815°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-04-22 2026-04-22 13:20:45 UTC | 5.0mww | 32 km ENE of Luganville, Vanuatu -15.445°, 167.453° | 119.2 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 13:20 UTC on April 22, 2026, a magnitude 5.0 tremor occurred 32 km ENE of Luganville, Vanuatu. It ranks as the fifth largest event in the current dataset. A small number of nearby observers (1) submitted felt reports to the USGS. The hypocenter lay at 119.2 km, placing this in the intermediate depth category. Geolocation places the event at -15.445°N, 167.453°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M5.0 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
51 km SSW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu
1 day ago
51 km ENE of Luganville, Vanuatu
2026-03-30
Data from USGS Earthquake Hazards Program. Updated every 5 minutes.
Vanuatu lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire with the Australian Plate subducting beneath the Pacific Plate, causing frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.
In 2026, Vanuatu has recorded 92 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater so far. The largest earthquake in Vanuatu in 2026 was a magnitude 7.3 event near Luganville, Vanuatu. As of today, seismic monitoring continues with 0 earthquakes detected in the past 24 hours and 14 in the last 30 days.
Vanuatu lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire with the Australian Plate subducting beneath the Pacific Plate, causing frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.
Over the past 30 days, there have been 14 recorded earthquakes in this region. The largest recent earthquake was a magnitude 5.7 event near 51 km SSW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu.
In the past 30 days, 14 earthquakes have been recorded in the Vanuatu region. The number varies based on seismic activity in the area.
The largest recent earthquake in the Vanuatu area was a magnitude 5.7 event that occurred 51 km SSW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu.
Residents should secure heavy furniture, create an emergency kit with supplies for 72 hours, develop a family communication plan, and practice "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" during earthquake drills. Visit our preparedness section for detailed guides.
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