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 no earthquakes above the reporting threshold.
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Time (UTC) | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M5.0 | Jul 27, 20:10 UTC | 10 km | 88 km SE of Sola, Vanuatu |
| M5.0 | Jul 24, 23:44 UTC | 10 km | 96 km NNW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu |
| M4.9 | Jul 24, 22:39 UTC | 10 km | 4 km WNW of Sola, Vanuatu |
| M6.0 | Jul 24, 21:37 UTC | 45 km | 82 km W of Sola, Vanuatu |
| M5.1 | Jul 24, 21:19 UTC | 17 km | 75 km WSW of Sola, Vanuatu |
| M4.7 | Jul 24, 14:28 UTC | 165 km | 47 km ESE of Luganville, Vanuatu |
| M4.7 | Jul 23, 14:12 UTC | 187 km | 150 km SSE of Lata, Solomon Islands |
| M4.4 | Jul 23, 13:21 UTC | 10 km | 90 km SSW of Isangel, Vanuatu |
| M4.9 | Jul 22, 21:42 UTC | 10 km | 104 km ENE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu |
Notable recent activity
A strong M6.0 earthquake struck 82 km W of Sola, Vanuatu at 21:37 UTC on Jul 24 at a depth of 45 km.
A moderate M5.1 earthquake struck 75 km WSW of Sola, Vanuatu at 21:19 UTC on Jul 24 at a depth of 17 km.
A moderate M5.0 earthquake struck 88 km SE of Sola, Vanuatu at 20:10 UTC on Jul 27 at a depth of 10 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.