Earthquake · Vanuatu
M6.1 earthquake near Isangel, Vanuatu
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck 98 km WNW of Isangel, Vanuatu on 20 March 2026 at 02:30 UTC, at a depth of 21 km.
- Magnitude
- 6.1 mww
- When
- 20 March 2026, 02:30 UTC
- Depth
- 21 km
- Location
- 19.28° S, 168.38° E
- Strongest shaking (estimated)
- Intensity IV (light)
- USGS PAGER alert
- Green
- Source
- USGS event page
What it means
A magnitude 6.1 is a strong earthquake; there are about 130 a year worldwide, and they can cause damage in populated areas near the epicentre. At 21 km deep it was a shallow earthquake, which usually means stronger shaking near the epicentre.
The magnitude may be revised as more data comes in. Read Earthquake magnitude explained for what the numbers mean.
Aftershocks
8 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or more within 150 km in the 30 days after; the largest was a magnitude 5.4.
| Mag | Where | When (UTC) |
|---|---|---|
| 5.4 | 71 km NNE of Isangel, Vanuatu | 2 April 2026, 23:22 |
| 4.6 | 102 km WNW of Isangel, Vanuatu | 20 March 2026, 19:55 |
| 4.6 | 115 km W of Isangel, Vanuatu | 23 March 2026, 03:48 |
| 4.6 | 60 km NNE of Isangel, Vanuatu | 10 April 2026, 13:03 |
| 4.6 | 120 km WNW of Isangel, Vanuatu | 13 April 2026, 00:34 |
| 4.4 | 115 km WNW of Isangel, Vanuatu | 20 March 2026, 10:12 |
| 4.3 | 111 km W of Isangel, Vanuatu | 20 March 2026, 14:12 |
| 4.0 | 107 km W of Isangel, Vanuatu | 20 March 2026, 21:39 |
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