mmmmm
A very strong magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurred in the Coral Sea 80 km (50 mi) from Vanuatu around noon of Friday, Mar 20, 2026 at 1.30 pm local time (GMT +11). The depth of the quake could not be determined, but is assumed to be shallow. The quake was felt by many near the epicenter. The shallow depth of the quake caused it to be felt more strongly near the epicenter than a deeper quake of similar magnitude would.

Significant magnitude 6.0 earthquake 104 km west of Isangel, Vanuatu

An earthquake of magnitude 6.0 occurred around noon on Friday, March 20th, 2026, at 1:30 pm local time near Isangel, Tafea Province, Vanuatu, as reported by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).

According to preliminary data, the quake was located at a shallow depth of 26. km. Shallow earthquakes are felt more strongly than deeper ones as they are closer to the surface. 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.

Our monitoring service identified a second report from the citizen-seismograph network of RaspberryShake which listed the quake at magnitude 6.0 as well. Other agencies reporting the same quake include France's Réseau National de Surveillance Sismique (RéNaSS) at magnitude 6.1, and the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) at magnitude 6.0.

Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake was probably felt by many people in the area of the epicenter. It should not have caused significant damage, other than objects falling from shelves, broken windows, etc.