How often does Vanuatu have earthquakes?

Vanuatu recorded 18 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater in the past 90 days. Over the last 5 years it has averaged about 53.2 notable quakes (magnitude 5.0 or greater) per year.

What was the largest recent earthquake in Vanuatu?

The largest earthquake in Vanuatu in the last 5 years was a magnitude 7.3 near 51 km ENE of Luganville, Vanuatu.

When was the last major earthquake in Vanuatu?

The most recent earthquake of magnitude 5.0 or greater in Vanuatu was a magnitude 5.1 near 86 km ESE of Isangel, Vanuatu.

What magnitude earthquake can you feel?

Most people begin to feel earthquakes around magnitude 3.0, though it depends on depth and distance. Shallow quakes close by feel stronger than deep or distant ones of the same size.

AUTHORITATIVE DATA SNAPSHOTUpdated Sep 12, 2026, 11:01 PM UTC

EARTHQUAKES · VANUATU

Vanuatu Earthquakes

Recent and significant earthquakes in Vanuatu, drawn from the USGS global earthquake feed and mapped with magnitude and time.

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Current earthquakes in Vanuatu (2)

Vanuatu has recorded 18 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater in the past 90 days.

#Hazard / eventSeverityLocationSourceUpdated

1M4.7 earthquakeElevated46 km NNE of Port-Olry, VanuatuUSGSSep 12, 20267 hr ago 2M4.9 earthquakeElevated147 km WNW of Sola, VanuatuUSGSSep 12, 202613 hr ago

EarthquakesElevated

M 4.7 - 46 km NNE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu

46 km NNE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu

USGS7 hr ago

EarthquakesElevated

M 4.9 - 147 km WNW of Sola, Vanuatu

147 km WNW of Sola, Vanuatu

USGS13 hr ago

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Event statusHighElevatedAdvisory Tectonic boundary

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HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Recent earthquake history

Vanuatu has recorded 18 earthquakes of magnitude 5 or greater in the past 90 days.

Largest in 5 yearsM7.351 km ENE of Luganville, Vanuatu · Mar 30, 2026

Most recent M5.0+M5.186 km ESE of Isangel, Vanuatu · Sep 9, 2026

Notable quakes (M5+) per year53.2average over 5 years

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Notable earthquakes (magnitude 5.0+) per year in Vanuatu

Notable earthquakes in Vanuatu (last 5 years)

Magnitude	Location	Date
M7.3	51 km ENE of Luganville, Vanuatu	Mar 30, 2026
M7.3	24 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu	Dec 17, 2024
M7.1	118 km S of Isangel, Vanuatu	Dec 7, 2023
M7.0	23 km WNW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu	Jan 8, 2023
M7.0	209 km SSE of Isangel, Vanuatu	Sep 14, 2022
M6.7	97 km E of Port-Olry, Vanuatu	Nov 22, 2023

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COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

How often does Vanuatu have earthquakes?: Vanuatu recorded 18 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater in the past 90 days. Over the last 5 years it has averaged about 53.2 notable quakes (magnitude 5.0 or greater) per year.
What was the largest recent earthquake in Vanuatu?: The largest earthquake in Vanuatu in the last 5 years was a magnitude 7.3 near 51 km ENE of Luganville, Vanuatu.
When was the last major earthquake in Vanuatu?: The most recent earthquake of magnitude 5.0 or greater in Vanuatu was a magnitude 5.1 near 86 km ESE of Isangel, Vanuatu.
What magnitude earthquake can you feel?: Most people begin to feel earthquakes around magnitude 3.0, though it depends on depth and distance. Shallow quakes close by feel stronger than deep or distant ones of the same size.

CONTEXT

About earthquakes in Vanuatu

Most earthquakes are too small to feel. The USGS reports millions of quakes a year worldwide, and the vast majority are below magnitude 2.5. A page showing no recent activity usually means no notable quakes, not that nothing is being measured.

Magnitude is a measure of the energy released at the source; shaking you actually feel also depends on depth and how far you are from the epicenter. A shallow magnitude 4 nearby can feel stronger than a deep magnitude 5 far away.

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