Recent earthquakes in Vanuatu
Vanuatu sits along the New Hebrides subduction zone, where the Australian Plate dives beneath the Pacific Plate, making it one of the most seismically active nations per unit area on Earth. Large earthquakes and active volcanoes are routine across the archipelago. Magnitude 7 earthquakes occur here more often than almost anywhere else. In the past 24 hours, Vanuatu has recorded 8 earthquakes, the largest an M6.0 (214 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu).
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Time (UTC) | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M5.0 | Oct 28, 04:31 UTC | 10 km | 200 km W of Sola, Vanuatu |
| M5.6 | Oct 28, 02:59 UTC | 10 km | 174 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu |
| M6.0 | Oct 28, 02:21 UTC | 10 km | 214 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu |
| M5.2 | Oct 28, 02:17 UTC | 10 km | 220 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu |
| M4.8 | Oct 28, 02:13 UTC | 10 km | 217 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu |
| M5.5 | Oct 28, 01:39 UTC | 10 km | 221 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu |
| M5.2 | Oct 27, 10:50 UTC | 10 km | 191 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu |
| M5.0 | Oct 27, 10:06 UTC | 10 km | 184 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu |
| M5.0 | Oct 27, 09:20 UTC | 10 km | 206 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu |
| M5.8 | Oct 27, 08:55 UTC | 11 km | 196 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu |
| M4.6 | Oct 26, 15:08 UTC | 10 km | 154 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu |
| M5.2 | Oct 26, 12:13 UTC | 10 km | 205 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu |
| M5.0 | Oct 26, 11:17 UTC | 10 km | 218 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu |
| M4.8 | Oct 26, 04:53 UTC | 10 km | 182 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu |
| M4.9 | Oct 26, 01:22 UTC | 10 km | 205 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu |
| M4.8 | Oct 25, 20:30 UTC | 10 km | 167 km WNW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu |
| M4.6 | Oct 25, 16:25 UTC | 10 km | 222 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu |
| M5.4 | Oct 25, 08:41 UTC | 10 km | 205 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu |
| M6.1 | Oct 25, 02:24 UTC | 116 km | 25 km ENE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu |
| M5.1 | Oct 25, 02:06 UTC | 10 km | 161 km WNW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu |
| M5.1 | Oct 25, 01:46 UTC | 10 km | 166 km WNW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu |
| M5.0 | Oct 24, 23:44 UTC | 10 km | 192 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu |
| M4.8 | Oct 24, 23:39 UTC | 10 km | 203 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu |
| M5.0 | Oct 24, 22:47 UTC | 10 km | 210 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu |
| M4.9 | Oct 24, 19:18 UTC | 22 km | 73 km SW of Isangel, Vanuatu |
Notable recent activity
A strong M6.9 earthquake struck 197 km WNW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu at 02:31 UTC on Oct 24 at a depth of 10 km.
A strong M6.3 earthquake struck 170 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu at 02:35 UTC on Oct 24 at a depth of 10 km.
A strong M6.1 earthquake struck 25 km ENE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu at 02:24 UTC on Oct 25 at a depth of 116 km.
Frequently asked questions
How active is Vanuatu seismically?
Vanuatu is among the most earthquake-prone countries on Earth relative to its size, routinely recording magnitude 6 and 7 events along the New Hebrides Trench. Its population is small and dispersed, so many large offshore quakes cause limited damage.
Why does Vanuatu have earthquakes and volcanoes?
The Australian Plate subducts beneath the New Hebrides island arc that makes up Vanuatu. This subduction generates frequent earthquakes and feeds a chain of active volcanoes running through the archipelago.
Has Vanuatu had major earthquakes?
Vanuatu experiences large earthquakes frequently. A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck near the capital, Port Vila, in December 2024, causing significant damage — a reminder that even a highly active but sparsely populated country faces serious urban risk.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.