M 5.1 Earthquake 59 km NNE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu

Source: USGS · Vanuatu

Areazine synthesizes this USGS earthquake report directly from USGS's official public data feed. See our methodology for full source attribution and refresh cadence.

A magnitude 5.1 mb earthquake struck 59 km NNE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu at a depth of 160 km.

What this USGS earthquake report tells you, and what most readers miss

This notice was issued by USGS on August 4, 2026 and geographically references Vanuatu. Its severity classification of "medium" signals how the issuing agency weighs the risk of harm if no action is taken - "critical" and "high" tier alerts typically carry direct consumer actions, while "medium" and "low" tend toward informational guidance or monitoring advisories. The category it belongs to - Earthquakes - determines the monitoring protocol behind it, which shapes what follow-up action (checking for structural damage, watching for aftershocks, reviewing local building codes) is relevant and which agency holds authority over the assessment.

Most readers skim a notice like this, check whether they are personally affected, and move on. The more useful lens is to verify its scope, source, and timestamp, then compare related notices without assuming that one record proves a broader trend.

Areazine pairs this record with the original agency URL so you can check the primary source before acting. Its related labels are earthquake, seismic, usgs, Vanuatu.

What Happened

A M 5.1 mb earthquake occurred 59 km NNE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu at 2026-07-09 12:52:56 UTC (1783601576872). The event registered a depth of 160.242 km.

Location Details

The earthquake was located at coordinates latitude -14.5687, longitude 167.3264. At 160 km depth, this is classified as a deep earthquake (>70 km).

Impact Assessment

No felt reports were recorded. Tsunami advisory status is not active (tsunami: 0). No alert level was issued.

What You Should Know

This magnitude falls in the moderate range and can cause damage to poorly constructed buildings. Monitor official sources for any updates.

Source

USGS Event Page - United States Geological Survey

Original source: USGS Official Notice ↗

All Earthquakes →

Nationwide notices with similar length or severity timing 8

Two Areazine-derived peer sets for this USGS earthquake report: nearest notices by body length and by same severity near the same agency date. Peers come from other categories so they are not the same-feed Related list above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this USGS earthquake report.

What is this USGS earthquake report about?
A magnitude 5.1 mb earthquake struck 59 km NNE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu at a depth of 160 km.
Which agency issued this alert?
This alert was issued by USGS. The original notice is available at the source link at the bottom of this article.
How severe is this alert?
This alert is classified as "medium" severity. Stay informed and follow agency guidance.
What area is affected?
This alert affects Vanuatu. Check with USGS for the most current geographic scope.
Where can I find more Earthquakes updates?
Browse the full Earthquakes feed on Areazine at areazine.com/earthquakes/ for the latest updates from USGS and other agencies.