M 5.0 Moderate Earthquake Strikes Southeast of the Loyalty Islands
A magnitude 5.0 earthquake occurred southeast of the Loyalty Islands on March 13, 2026. The shallow quake was recorded at a depth of 10 kilometers.
What Happened
A moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 5.0 mb was recorded southeast of the Loyalty Islands. The seismic event occurred on March 13, 2026, at 08:00:04 UTC. The event has been reviewed by seismologists at the USGS.
Location Details
The earthquake was centered at coordinates 23.3455°S and 171.5645°E. According to the USGS, the event occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers. This is classified as a shallow earthquake; shallow events (those occurring at depths less than 20 km) are typically felt more distinctly than deeper seismic events.
Impact Assessment
At this time, there are no felt reports associated with this event. No tsunami advisory, watch, or warning has been issued in relation to this earthquake. No specific alert level color was assigned to this event in the source data.
What You Should Know
A magnitude 5.0 earthquake is classified as a “moderate earthquake.” While these events can cause damage to poorly constructed buildings, they often result in little to no damage in remote areas or to well-engineered structures. Residents in the broader region should be aware of the potential for aftershocks, which are routine following a magnitude 5.0 event.
Source
Information and data provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.
Source: USGS Official Notice