Moderate mag. 4.9 earthquake - Coral Sea, 49 km south of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu, on Wednesday, Dec 8, 2021 at 3:51 am (GMT +11) -

Moderate magnitude 4.9 earthquake at 38 km depth

7 Dec 16:58 UTC: First to report: VolcanoDiscovery after 6 minutes.
7 Dec 17:14: Now using data updates from EMSC
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13 Dec 21:52: Hypocenter depth recalculated from 35.0 to 38.4 km (from 22 to 24 mi). Epicenter location corrected by 19 km (12 mi) towards E.

Update Tue, 7 Dec 2021, 17:18

Significant magnitude 5.0 earthquake 60 km south of Port Vila, Vanuatu

5.0 quake 8 Dec 3:51 am (GMT +11)

An earthquake of magnitude 5.0 occurred early morning on Wednesday, December 8th, 2021, at 3:51 am local time near Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu, as reported by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).
According to preliminary data, the quake was located at a moderately shallow depth of 40 km. The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report.
Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake should not have caused any significant damage, but was probably felt by many people as light vibration in the area of the epicenter.
Weak shaking might have been felt in Port Vila (pop. 35,900) located 60 km from the epicenter.
VolcanoDiscovery will automatically update magnitude and depth if these change and follow up if other significant news about the quake become available. If you're in the area, please send us your experience through our reporting mechanism, either online or via our mobile app. This will help us provide more first-hand updates to anyone around the globe who wants to know more about this quake.

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Earthquake data

Earthquake details

Date & time	Dec 7, 2021 16:51:34 UTC -
Local time at epicenter	Wednesday, Dec 8, 2021 at 3:51 am (GMT +11)
Status	Confirmed
Magnitude	4.9
Depth	38.4 km
Epicenter latitude / longitude	18.157°S / 168.1676°E (Coral Sea, Vanuatu)
Antipode	18.157°N / 11.832°W
Shaking intensity	Light shaking
Felt	8 reports
Primary data source	USGS (United States Geological Survey)
Nearest volcano	North Vate (79 km / 49 mi)
Nearby towns and cities	49 km (31 mi) SSW of Port Vila (pop: 35,900) \| Show on map \| Quakes nearby 194 km (120 mi) NW of Isangel (pop: 1,440) \| Show on map \| Quakes nearby 247 km (153 mi) SSE of Norsup (pop: 3,000) \| Show on map \| Quakes nearby 312 km (194 mi) SSE of Santo (Luganville) (pop: 13,400) \| Show on map \| Quakes nearby 321 km (200 mi) NNE of Wé (Lifou, New Caledonia) (pop: 10,400) \| Show on map \| Quakes nearby 326 km (203 mi) NNE of Fayaoué (New Caledonia) (pop: 4,410) \| Show on map \| Quakes nearby 366 km (227 mi) SSE of Port-Olry (pop: 1,950) \| Show on map \| Quakes nearby 378 km (235 mi) N of Tadine (Maré, New Caledonia) (pop: 7,490) \| Show on map \| Quakes nearby 428 km (266 mi) NE of Poindimié (New Caledonia) (pop: 4,890) \| Show on map \| Quakes nearby 471 km (293 mi) NE of Bourail (New Caledonia) (pop: 4,830) \| Show on map \| Quakes nearby 189 km (117 mi) S of Paama Island (pop: 1,630) \| Show on map \| Quakes nearby 199 km (124 mi) NW of Tanna Island (pop: 28,800) \| Show on map \| Quakes nearby
Weather at epicenter at time of quake	Few Clouds 23.1°C (74 F), humidity: 81%, wind: 6 m/s (12 kts) from E
Estimated seismic energy released	1.4 x 10¹² joules (392 megawatt hours, equivalent to 338 tons of TNT) \| about seismic energy

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Data for the same earthquake reported by different agencies

Info: The more agencies report about the same quake and post similar data, the more confidence you can have in the data. It takes normally up to a few hours until earthquake parameters are calculated with near-optimum precision.

Mag.	Depth	Location	Source
4.9	38 km	56 Km SW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu	USGS
4.9	40 km	VANUATU	EMSC
4.9	35 km	Vanuatu Islands	RaspberryShake
5.0	40 km	Vanuatu Islands	GeoAu
4.9	34 km	Vanuatu Islands	GFZ
5.3	10 km	Vanuatu: Near Nouméa	RENASS

Most recent quakes Top 20 past 24 hrs Quakes in New Caledonia

User reports for this quake (8)

User reports estimate the perceived ground shaking intensity according to the MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) scale.

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In bed / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s : Could hear it coming as it woke me prior to the main horizontal shake with a couple of twitches afterwards

Independence Park Area, Port Vila / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s : Light shaking...we live on the 1st floor of an apartment. It was clearly felt by all my family members who woke up a few seconds into the shaking...our neighbours also woke up..

near Port Vila, Shefa (45.2 km NE of epicenter) [Map] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Loud noise and then quake woke me up

Port Vila (47.5 km NNE of epicenter) [Map] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s

Vanuatu (49.7 km NNE of epicenter) [Map] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Port Vila, Shefa (53.9 km NNE of epicenter) [Map] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex motion difficult to describe / 5-10 s (reported through our app)

Port Vila, Shefa (52.8 km N of epicenter) [Map] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 20-30 s (reported through our app)

Havannah / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating

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Earlier earthquakes in the same area since 1900

Date and time GMT	Mag Depth	Distance	Location	Details
Sep 20, 1920 14:39 102 years ago	8.1 25 km	218km / 135mi	100 km SW of Isangel, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Dec 2, 1950 19:51 72 years ago	7.9 30 km	59km / 37mi	99 km SW of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Jun 16, 1910 06:30 112 years ago	7.8 100 km	207km / 128mi	Tanna, 17 km E of Isangel, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Nov 26, 1999 13:21 23 years ago	7.5 33 km	193km / 120mi	Paama Island, 146 km N of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Oct 11, 1992 19:24 30 years ago	7.4 129 km	146km / 91mi	56 km NW of Tanna Island, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Dec 25, 2010 13:16 11 years ago	7.3 16 km	173km / 108mi	326 km NE of Noumea, Nouméa, South Province, New Caledonia	More
Aug 10, 2010 05:23 12 years ago	7.3 25 km	69km / 43mi	34 km NW of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Apr 9, 2008 12:46 14 years ago	7.3 33 km	226km / 140mi	72 km SW of Isangel, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Jul 23, 1961 21:51 61 years ago	7.3 25 km	21km / 13mi	64 km S of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Nov 9, 1910 06:02 112 years ago	7.3 20 km	247km / 154mi	58 km SW of Norsup, Malampa Province, Vanuatu	More
Aug 20, 2011 16:55 11 years ago	7.2 32 km	23km / 14mi	72 km S of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Jan 2, 2002 17:22 20 years ago	7.2 21 km	70km / 44mi	51 km W of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Jul 13, 1994 02:35 28 years ago	7.2 33 km	184km / 115mi	39 km S of Malakula Island, Malampa Province, Vanuatu	More
Aug 13, 1965 12:40 57 years ago	7.2 35 km	226km / 140mi	Malakula, 27 km SE of Norsup, Malampa Province, Vanuatu	More
Jul 2, 1953 06:57 69 years ago	7.2 236 km	186km / 116mi	62 km NE of Isangel, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Nov 24, 1944 04:49 78 years ago	7.2 165 km	152km / 94mi	47 km N of Isangel, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Mar 22, 1925 08:41 97 years ago	7.2 35 km	74km / 46mi	111 km S of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Feb 2, 2012 13:34 10 years ago	7.1 23 km	115km / 72mi	Coral Sea, 125 km W of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Aug 20, 2011 18:19 11 years ago	7.1 28 km	18km / 11mi	65 km S of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Aug 12, 1990 21:25 32 years ago	7.1 140 km	175km / 109mi	29 km W of Tanna Island, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Mar 5, 1990 16:38 32 years ago	7.1 21 km	21km / 13mi	70 km S of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
May 26, 1950 01:17 72 years ago	7.1 50 km	285km / 177mi	Aneityum Island, 317 km SE of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
May 30, 1938 14:29 84 years ago	7.1 35 km	217km / 135mi	71 km SW of Isangel, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Jan 24, 1927 01:05 95 years ago	7.1 30 km	58km / 36mi	96 km SW of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Apr 28, 2016 19:33 6 years ago	7.0 28 km	248km / 154mi	Coral Sea, 2.2 km NE of Norsup, Malampa Province, Vanuatu	More
Dec 29, 1993 07:48 28 years ago	7.0 33 km	287km / 178mi	Aneityum Island, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Jul 15, 1981 07:59 41 years ago	7.0 30 km	116km / 72mi	92 km NW of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Nov 2, 1972 19:55 50 years ago	7.0 20 km	233km / 145mi	80 km SW of Tanna Island, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Apr 5, 1939 16:42 83 years ago	7.0 30 km	210km / 130mi	50 km SW of Isangel, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Feb 11, 1994 21:17 28 years ago	6.9 206 km	126km / 78mi	87 km N of Tanna Island, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Apr 6, 1989 08:05 33 years ago	6.9 166 km	155km / 96mi	47 km NW of Tanna Island, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
May 4, 1972 07:48 50 years ago	6.9 51 km	253km / 157mi	34 km N of Malakula Island, Malampa Province, Vanuatu	More
Aug 21, 2018 22:32 4 years ago	6.8 10 km	244km / 152mi	Coral Sea, 76 km E of Norsup, Malampa Province, Vanuatu	More
Jan 23, 2015 03:47 7 years ago	6.8 219 km	134km / 83mi	Coral Sea, 85 km N of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
May 10, 2011 08:55 11 years ago	6.8 11 km	232km / 144mi	291 km NE of Noumea, Nouméa, South Province, New Caledonia	More
Sep 28, 1987 11:47 35 years ago	6.8 31 km	31km / 19mi	80 km S of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Apr 6, 1984 23:08 38 years ago	6.8 182 km	110km / 68mi	90 km NW of Tanna Island, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Dec 9, 1973 19:55 48 years ago	6.8 39 km	257km / 159mi	57 km SE of Tanna Island, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
May 1, 1963 10:03 59 years ago	6.8 143 km	133km / 83mi	65 km N of Isangel, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Mar 9, 2012 07:09 10 years ago	6.7 16 km	187km / 116mi	Coral Sea, 58 km NE of Isangel, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Jul 13, 1994 03:13 28 years ago	6.7 33 km	179km / 111mi	66 km SW of Malakula Island, Malampa Province, Vanuatu	More
Mar 29, 1960 06:31 62 years ago	6.7 10 km	153km / 95mi	127 km NW of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Jul 31, 2019 15:02 3 years ago	6.6 195 km	220km / 137mi	Coral Sea, 60 km E of Norsup, Malampa Province, Vanuatu	More
Nov 6, 2003 10:38 19 years ago	6.6 114 km	145km / 90mi	60 km NW of Tanna Island, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Jan 3, 2002 10:17 20 years ago	6.6 10 km	58km / 36mi	34 km W of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Aug 22, 1999 12:40 23 years ago	6.6 33 km	227km / 141mi	Ambrym, 182 km N of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Jun 29, 1995 12:24 27 years ago	6.6 139 km	194km / 121mi	Tanna, 0.6 km SE of Isangel, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Sep 28, 1987 13:46 35 years ago	6.6 25 km	43km / 27mi	91 km S of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Jul 16, 1986 12:41 36 years ago	6.6 111 km	184km / 114mi	13 km W of Isangel, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Apr 20, 1970 10:39 52 years ago	6.6 239 km	136km / 85mi	91 km N of Tanna Island, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Mar 29, 1970 10:08 52 years ago	6.6 237 km	131km / 81mi	82 km NE of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Mar 9, 1970 16:01 52 years ago	6.6 30 km	117km / 73mi	89 km NW of Tanna Island, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Feb 16, 1966 03:18 56 years ago	6.6 35 km	56km / 35mi	32 km W of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Jan 5, 1955 17:48 67 years ago	6.6 15 km	204km / 127mi	Malakula, 44 km SE of Norsup, Malampa Province, Vanuatu	More
Dec 10, 1944 16:24 78 years ago	6.6 15 km	53km / 33mi	47 km W of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Jan 14, 1936 17:41 86 years ago	6.6 25 km	30km / 19mi	79 km S of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Nov 28, 1925 16:13 97 years ago	6.6 25 km	26km / 16mi	59 km SW of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Feb 19, 2015 13:18 7 years ago	6.5 2 km	195km / 121mi	Coral Sea, 149 km N of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Aug 20, 2011 17:13 11 years ago	6.5 35 km	17km / 10mi	66 km S of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Jan 9, 2011 10:03 11 years ago	6.5 22 km	112km / 70mi	158 km S of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Oct 1, 1994 16:35 28 years ago	6.5 17 km	69km / 43mi	67 km W of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Feb 15, 1994 21:11 28 years ago	6.5 20 km	260km / 162mi	Vanuatu	More
Dec 29, 1993 08:39 28 years ago	6.5 33 km	270km / 168mi	24 km N of Aneityum Island, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Oct 17, 1992 02:51 30 years ago	6.5 12 km	188km / 117mi	38 km NE of Tanna Island, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Sep 25, 1989 14:17 33 years ago	6.5 34 km	271km / 168mi	Vanuatu	More
Sep 30, 1987 01:39 35 years ago	6.5 51 km	32km / 20mi	67 km SW of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Jul 3, 1985 15:55 37 years ago	6.5 29 km	108km / 67mi	75 km NW of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Aug 5, 2020 12:05 1 year 42 weeks ago	6.4 187 km	225km / 140mi	Coral Sea, 64 km E of Lakatoro, Malampa Province, Vanuatu	More
May 27, 2020 07:09 2 years ago	6.4 10 km	123km / 76mi	Coral Sea, 87 km NW of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Oct 21, 2019 02:52 3 years ago	6.4 273 km	172km / 107mi	Coral Sea, 65 km NE of Isangel, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Sep 20, 2017 20:09 5 years ago	6.4 200 km	118km / 73mi	Tafea Province, 138 km SE of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Dec 2, 2012 00:54 9 years ago	6.4 34 km	140km / 87mi	Coral Sea, 109 km NW of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Dec 29, 2010 06:54 11 years ago	6.4 16 km	167km / 104mi	215 km S of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Apr 28, 2008 18:33 14 years ago	6.4 32 km	215km / 134mi	56 km SW of Isangel, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Apr 9, 2008 11:13 14 years ago	6.4 16 km	236km / 147mi	277 km S of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Mar 12, 2008 11:23 14 years ago	6.4 13 km	198km / 123mi	38 km SW of Malakula Island, Malampa Province, Vanuatu	More
Jan 23, 2006 06:02 16 years ago	6.4 23 km	98km / 61mi	74 km NW of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Sep 29, 2001 02:40 21 years ago	6.4 33 km	38km / 24mi	87 km S of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Jul 24, 1994 17:55 28 years ago	6.4 21 km	147km / 91mi	78 km S of Malakula Island, Malampa Province, Vanuatu	More
Feb 16, 1994 06:48 28 years ago	6.4 13 km	93km / 58mi	141 km S of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Sep 23, 1990 17:54 32 years ago	6.4 10 km	75km / 47mi	74 km W of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Oct 25, 1986 20:47 36 years ago	6.4 31 km	55km / 34mi	21 km NW of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Nov 4, 1972 03:49 50 years ago	6.4 20 km	232km / 144mi	58 km S of Isangel, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Sep 13, 1972 14:33 50 years ago	6.4 30 km	260km / 161mi	Vanuatu	More
Jun 2, 2009 02:17 13 years ago	6.3 15 km	50km / 31mi	39 km W of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Nov 4, 2008 18:35 14 years ago	6.3 206 km	118km / 73mi	39 km N of Emau Island, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Apr 19, 2008 05:58 14 years ago	6.3 14 km	244km / 152mi	287 km S of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Apr 9, 2008 14:47 14 years ago	6.3 35 km	218km / 135mi	66 km SW of Isangel, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Apr 9, 2008 11:23 14 years ago	6.3 35 km	238km / 148mi	279 km S of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Mar 12, 2008 11:36 14 years ago	6.3 10 km	213km / 132mi	52 km SW of Norsup, Malampa Province, Vanuatu	More
Feb 18, 2021 06:37 1 year 14 weeks ago	6.2 10 km	84km / 52mi	Coral Sea, 133 km S of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Feb 16, 2021 00:49 1 year 14 weeks ago	6.2 5.6 km	72km / 45mi	Coral Sea, 77 km W of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Sep 6, 2020 02:59 1 year 38 weeks ago	6.2 10 km	123km / 76mi	Coral Sea, 96 km NW of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Jul 13, 2018 09:46 4 years ago	6.2 184 km	126km / 78mi	Coral Sea, 73 km N of Isangel, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Jun 21, 2018 21:13 4 years ago	6.2 10 km	49km / 31mi	Coral Sea, 28 km W of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Jun 14, 2016 13:49 6 years ago	6.2 114 km	89km / 55mi	Coral Sea, 120 km SE of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Jul 8, 2014 12:56 8 years ago	6.2 115 km	58km / 36mi	Sandwich Island, 10.2 km NE of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Apr 14, 2012 22:05 10 years ago	6.2 11 km	109km / 68mi	Coral Sea, 85 km NW of Isangel, Tafea Province, Vanuatu	More
Aug 24, 2011 23:06 11 years ago	6.2 13 km	47km / 29mi	78 km SW of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More
Mar 17, 2011 02:48 11 years ago	6.2 17 km	105km / 65mi	73 km NW of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu	More

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Moderate mag. 4.9 earthquake - Coral Sea, 49 km south of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu, on Wednesday, Dec 8, 2021 at 3:51 am (GMT +11) - writeAge(1638895894)