M5.3 earthquake — Vanuatu region
A moderate magnitude 5.3 earthquake occurred Vanuatu region on Sep 25, 2026 at 11:12 UTC. The epicenter was at a depth of 24 km — a shallow earthquake. Shallow quakes concentrate their energy near the surface, so they tend to produce stronger shaking close to the epicenter.
Event data
| Magnitude | M5.3 |
|---|---|
| Depth | 24.0 km |
| Coordinates | -21.890, 174.079 |
| Time | Sep 25, 11:12 UTC |
| Location | Vanuatu region |
| USGS event ID | us6000txjy |
What this magnitude typically means
Moderate earthquakes are widely felt and can cause light damage close to the epicenter. The shaking you actually experience depends on how far away you are and what kind of ground you are on. Tremor does not compute a single local shaking figure here, because how strong a quake feels at any address depends on distance, depth and local geology — open the interactive globe to explore the ShakeMap and estimated intensity.
Nearby recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Distance | Time (UTC) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4.9 | 272 km | Sep 20, 22:09 UTC | southeast of the Loyalty Islands |
Earthquake activity in this area
Source: USGS earthquake catalog. Automated readings may be revised. Not for emergency use.