Very strong magnitude 6.6 earthquake at 53 km depth14 Aug 16:30 UTC: First to report: GFZ after 8 minutes.14 Aug 16:30: Magnitude recalculated from 6.2 to 6.3.... [show all] ...14 Aug 16:32: Epicenter location corrected by 4.4 km (2.7 mi) towards N.14 Aug 16:33: Now using data updates from BMKG14 Aug 16:36: Magnitude recalculated from 6.4 to 6.6. Epicenter location corrected by 1.6 km (1 mi) towards NE.Update Thu, 14 Aug 2025, 16:33Significant magnitude 6.3 earthquake 106 km south of Lata, Solomon IslandsJust 11 minutes ago, a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck near Lata, Santa Cruz Islands, Temotu Province, Solomon Islands. The tremor was recorded early morning on Friday, August 15th, 2025, at 3:22 am local time, at a shallow depth of 10. km below the surface.The event was filed by the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), the first seismological agency to report it.Our monitoring service identified a second report from the citizen-seismograph network of RaspberryShake which listed the quake at magnitude 6.3 as well. A third agency, France's Réseau National de Surveillance Sismique (RéNaSS), reported the same quake at magnitude 5.6.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.In Lata (pop. 550) located 106 km from the epicenter, the quake should have been felt as light shaking.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.If you were or still are in this area during the quake help others with your feedback and report it here.Download the Volcanoes & Earthquakes app and get one of the fastest seismic alerts online: Android | iOSI didn't feel itI felt this quakeEarthquake detailsDate & timeAug 14, 2025 16:22:36 UTC - Local time at epicenterThursday, Aug 14, 2025, at 04:22 pm (Universal Time GMT +0)Statusconfirmed (manually revised)Magnitude6.6Depth53 kmEpicenter latitude / longitude11.68°S / 166.07°ESolomon IslandsAlso near: Vanuatu 162 km (101 mi) awaySeismic antipode11.68°N / 13.93°W Guinea-BissauShaking intensityVI Strong shaking near epicenterFelt0 reportsPrimary data sourceBMKG (Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency of Indonesia)Nearest volcanoTinakula (148 km / 92 mi)Weather at epicenter at time of quakeOvercast Clouds 26.7°C (80 F), humidity: 78%, wind: 3 m/s (5 kts) from NNWEstimated seismic energy released5 x 1014 joules (139 gigawatt hours, equivalent to 1.2 x 105 tons of TNT or 7.5 atomic bombs!) | equivalent to ONE quake of magnitude 6.6 | about seismic energy15 minutes agoAug 14, 2025 16:22 GMT / Aug 14, 2025 04:22 pm (Universal Time)Lat / Lng: -11.68 / 166.07: Santa Cruz IslandsSource: BMKGOther sources: RENASS: 5.7 / 10 km, RaspberryShake: 6.4 / 10 km, 1 more...Detail info | You felt it? - Report it!';storedMarkers.push(['quake-22057081',-11.68000,166.07000,'15 minutes ago: Mag. 6.6, Santa Cruz Islands',html,'quakes-8-24.png',35,35,17,17,127]); function mkRep(id,notFelt){var nFelt=notFelt||false;var src="https://www.volcanoesandearthquakes.com/app/earthquake-report.php?quakeId="+id;if(nFelt==true){src+="¬Felt=true";}window.open(src,"","status=0,toolbar=0,location=0,directories=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,scrollbars=1,height=400,width=350");} function locationHashChanged(e){-1!=e.oldURL.indexOf("#popupMap")&&closePopup()} window.onhashchange = locationHashChanged; function comment(e){var t=e.parentNode,a=(t.dataset.id,document.getElementById("commentForm"));"none"==a.style.display?(t.appendChild(a),a.style.display="block"):a.style.display="none"}function sendComment(e){var t=e.parentNode,a=t.parentNode.dataset.id,n=document.getElementById("commentContent"),p=n.value.trim();if(p){var o="id="+a+"&quakeId="+thisQuakeId;o+="&comment="+decodeURIComponent(p),mkRequest("//reports.volcanodiscovery.com/app/eqReportComment.php","post",o,function(e){e.responseText;alert("Thank you for submitting your comment!"),t.style.display="none",n.value=""})}}function flagReport(e){var t=e.parentNode.dataset.id;if(confirm("Report this as inappropriate?")){var a="id="+t+"&quakeId="+thisQuakeId+"&flagAsInappropriate=1";mkRequest("//reports.volcanodiscovery.com/app/eqReportComment.php","post",a,function(t){var a=t.responseText;alert(a),e.style.display="none"})}}function likeReport(e){var t="id="+e.parentNode.dataset.id+"&quakeId="+thisQuakeId+"&like=1";mkRequest("//reports.volcanodiscovery.com/app/eqReportComment.php","post",t,function(t){t.responseText;e.style.opacity=.5})}]]>[smaller] [bigger]Most recent quakes Top 20 past 24 hrs Quakes in Solomon IslandsNearby placesThe closest larger town where the quake might have been felt is Lata, a town with 553 inhabitants in the Solomon Islands, in 110 km (69 mi) distance north of the epicenter. People likely experienced moderate shaking there.The following table shows some of the places that might have been affected (or not) by the shaking.DistancePlaceMax. shaking intensity(*)RegionCountry110 km (69 mi)N of epicenterLata(pop: 553)V: ModerateTemotu ProvinceSolomon Islands292 km (182 mi)SE of epicenterSola(pop: 1,170)IV: LightTorba ProvinceVanuatu389 km (242 mi)S of epicenterPort-Olry(pop: 1,950)IV: LightSanma ProvinceVanuatu443 km (275 mi)S of epicenterLuganville(pop: 13,400)IV: LightSanma ProvinceVanuatu473 km (294 mi)W of epicenterKirakira(pop: 3,500)IV: LightMakira-Ulawa ProvinceSolomon Islands508 km (316 mi)S of epicenterNorsup(pop: 3,000)III: WeakMalampa ProvinceVanuatuNotes:(*) Shaking intensity according to the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MMI) and estimated using seismic models.User-reports for this quakeThere are no user reports for this quake yet.If you felt it, be the first to report it!I didn't feel itI felt this quakeIf you were near the epicenter and felt it, please share your experience and submit a short "I felt it" report! Other users would love to hear about it!If you did NOT feel the quake although you were in the area, please report it as well! Your contribution is valuable to earthquake science and seismic hazard analysis.Compare Quake DataData for the same earthquake as reported by different agenciesThe 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.MagDepthTime GMT2025-08-14EpicenterAgency6.653 km33 mi16:22:36Santa Cruz IslandsBMKG (Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency of Indonesia)5.7710 km6.2 mi(*)16:22:32.54near Nouméa12 km (7.7 mi) epicenter difference with BMKGRENASS (Réseau National de Surveillance Sismique (RéNaSS))6.410 km6.2 mi(*)16:22:32Santa Cruz Islands14 km (8.8 mi) epicenter difference with BMKGRaspberryShake (RaspberryShake)6.434 km21 mi16:22:34.61Santa Cruz Islands6 km (3.7 mi) epicenter difference with BMKGGFZ (German Research Centre for Geosciences)Notes:(*) A depth given as 10 km often means that the the depth of the quake could be not determined with sufficient accuracy.Aftershocks for this quakeNo aftershocks have been recorded so far. When aftershocks are detected, we will update this section.What are aftershocks?Larger earthquakes (above magnitude 5 or so) such as this one are usually followed by smaller ones known as aftershocks that occur in the same area during the days, weeks, months or even years after the main shock.[More info]What about this quake?Based on its magnitude, the fault that was active during the quake likely ruptured beneath a surface area of approximately 398 km2 (154 square miles) as a first-order estimate. The length of the rupture zone thus was probably around 35 km (21 mi).[More info]Recorded aftershocks, latest first (0 quake)Aug 14, 2025 04:22 pm (Universal Time)15 minutes ago6.653 km0 km - This quakeCoral Sea, 68 km SW of Utupua Island, Solomon IslandsMain Shock (this quake)MoreMap of aftershocksEarthquake statisticsAverage number of earthquakesBased on data from the past 25 years and our earthquake archive back to 1900, there are about 49 quakes on average per year in the area near the epicenter of this quake (within 100 km/61 mi):Mag. 7 or higher: 0.16 quakes per year (or 1 quake every 6.3 years)Mag. 6 or higher: 0.86 quakes per year (or 1 quake every 1.2 years)Mag. 5 or higher: 14.1 quakes per yearMag. 4 or higher: 56 quakes per year (or 4.7 quakes per month)Mag. 3 or higher: 97 quakes per year (or 8.1 quakes per month)Mag. 2 or higher: 100 quakes per year (or 8.3 quakes per month)The area where this quake occurred has a very high level of seismic activity. It has had at least 20 quakes above magnitude 7 since 1900, which suggests that larger earthquakes of this size occur infrequently, probably on average approximately every 5 to 10 years.Number of quakes per yearPrevious quakes in the same area of this earthquakeStrongest in 5 yearsThe earthquake was the strongest to hit this part of the Solomon Islands in over 5 years. Earlier, the last quake of equal or greater strength near the present epicenter had been a magnitude 6.6 earthquake on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, at 09:41 am (GMT +11 local time) in 76 km (47 mi) distance to the southeast:Mag. 6.6 earthquake Coral Sea - Temotu Province, Solomon Islands - May 13, 2020 - The strongest-ever (since 1900) recorded quake in this area measured magnitude 8.0. It had occurred 13 years ago earlier, on Wednesday, Feb 6, 2013, at 12:12 pm (GMT +11 local time) in Coral Sea, Solomon Islands:Mag. 8.0 earthquake Coral Sea - Temotu Province, Solomon Islands - Feb 6, 2013 - Below is a list and map of larger or recent quakes that had occurred near the epicenter before this earthquake (within up to 100 km/61 mi distance, up to 300 km/183 mi for very large quakes above mag. 7). Filter and sort the list by magnitude or time.Max results102050100AllMagnitudeAll2+3+4+5+6+7+8+Time before48 hours1 week30 days1 year5 years30 yearsAny ageDate and TimeMagDepthDistanceLocationDetailsMapAug 7, 08:39 pm (GMT +11)4.910 km48 km (30 mi) to the SCoral Sea, 95 km southwest of Vanikoro Island, Temotu Province, Solomon IslandsInfoJul 31, 05:20 am (GMT +11)5.088 km37 km (23 mi) to the NE 105 km SE of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoJul 24, 05:34 pm (Guadalcanal)5.3110 km89 km (55 mi) to the N 43 km ESE of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoJul 18, 01:49 pm (GMT +11)4.8200 km54 km (34 mi) to the SE 153 km SSE of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoJun 15, 07:40 pm (Guadalcanal)4.4114 km83 km (51 mi) to the N 42 km SE of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoMay 13, 2020 09:41 am (GMT +11)6.6107 km76 km (47 mi) to the SECoral Sea, 176 km southeast of Lata, Temotu Province, Solomon Islands 2 reportsInfoFeb 10, 2013 08:02 am (Guadalcanal)6.618 km84 km (52 mi) to the NW 30 km SSW of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoFeb 9, 2013 02:26 am (Guadalcanal)7.121 km84 km (52 mi) to the N 32 km SE of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoFeb 8, 2013 10:12 pm (Guadalcanal)6.812 km94 km (59 mi) to the N 21km SSE of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoFeb 8, 2013 05:59 am (Guadalcanal)6.711 km88 km (55 mi) to the NW 33 km SSW of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoFeb 6, 2013 12:54 pm (GMT +11)7.08.8 km142 km (88 mi) to the N 33 km NW of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoFeb 6, 2013 12:12 pm (GMT +11)8.024 km143 km (89 mi) to the NWCoral Sea, 75 km west of Lata, Temotu Province, Solomon IslandsInfoFeb 2, 2013 09:18 am (GMT +11)6.410 km98 km (61 mi) to the NW 63 km SW of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoMay 28, 2010 04:14 am (GMT +11)7.231 km233 km (145 mi) to the S VanuatuInfoOct 8, 2009 10:13 am (Efate)7.431 km164 km (102 mi) to the S 143 km NW of Sola, VanuatuInfoOct 8, 2009 09:50 am (GMT +11)6.821 km79 km (49 mi) to the S Santa Cruz Islands (Vanuatu)InfoOct 8, 2009 09:18 am (GMT +11)7.835 km99 km (62 mi) to the S 196 km NW of Sola, VanuatuInfoOct 8, 2009 09:03 am (Efate)7.745 km155 km (96 mi) to the S 148 km NW of Sola, VanuatuInfoAug 10, 2009 03:06 pm (GMT +11)6.635 km7.9 km (4.9 mi) to the N 103 km SSE of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoSep 2, 2007 12:05 pm (GMT +11)7.235 km34 km (21 mi) to the W 97 km S of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoAug 3, 2000 12:09 pm (GMT +11)6.633 km57 km (36 mi) to the SE 161 km SSE of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoFeb 7, 1999 08:47 am (GMT +11)7.390 km147 km (91 mi) to the SE 146 km NW of Sola, VanuatuInfoJul 16, 1998 10:56 pm (GMT +11)7.0110 km72 km (45 mi) to the N 52 km SE of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoApr 21, 1997 11:02 pm (GMT +11)7.733 km120 km (75 mi) to the SE 171 km NNW of Sola, VanuatuInfoSep 15, 1996 12:10 am (Guadalcanal)6.473 km90 km (56 mi) to the N 27 km SE of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoMar 6, 1993 02:05 pm (GMT +11)7.120 km221 km (137 mi) to the WCoral Sea, 206 km west of New Jersey Island, Solomon IslandsInfoAug 5, 1992 08:08 am (GMT +11)6.491 km75 km (47 mi) to the SE 177 km SSE of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoMay 27, 1992 04:13 pm (GMT +11)7.019 km110 km (68 mi) to the NW 75 km SW of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoOct 24, 1986 03:23 am (GMT +11)6.524 km88 km (55 mi) to the NW 49 km SW of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoDec 21, 1985 12:13 pm (Efate)7.143 km259 km (161 mi) to the S 112 km W of Sola, VanuatuInfoAug 6, 1982 07:32 am (GMT +11)7.031 km103 km (64 mi) to the S Santa Cruz Islands (Vanuatu)InfoFeb 21, 1982 12:26 am (Guadalcanal)6.836 km91 km (57 mi) to the N 28 km ESE of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoJul 18, 1980 06:42 am (GMT +11)7.933 km95 km (59 mi) to the S 199 km S of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoJul 9, 1980 10:19 am (GMT +11)7.533 km88 km (55 mi) to the SE Santa Cruz Islands (Vanuatu)InfoFeb 15, 1972 10:29 am (GMT +11)7.4102 km37 km (23 mi) to the NE 102 km SE of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoNov 21, 1971 04:57 pm (GMT +11)7.1113 km57 km (35 mi) to the E 150 km SSE of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoJan 1, 1967 09:15 am (GMT +11)7.135 km85 km (53 mi) to the SE 192 km SSE of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoJan 1, 1967 05:23 am (GMT +11)7.855 km70 km (43 mi) to the SE 172 km SSE of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoSep 18, 1963 06:20 am (GMT +11)7.245 km156 km (97 mi) to the NWCoral Sea, 56 km northwest of Lata, Temotu Province, Solomon IslandsInfoSep 15, 1963 11:46 am (Guadalcanal)7.435 km137 km (85 mi) to the N 28 km NW of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoMay 22, 1962 07:06 pm (GMT +11)6.6114 km81 km (51 mi) to the SE 185 km SSE of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoJan 22, 1961 02:24 pm (GMT +11)6.715 km73 km (45 mi) to the S Santa Cruz Islands (Vanuatu)InfoDec 18, 1957 12:50 am (GMT +11)7.8124 km106 km (66 mi) to the SE 186 km NNW of Sola, VanuatuInfoNov 16, 1944 12:11 pm (Universal Time)7.135 km23 km (14 mi) to the SE 130 km SSE of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoMay 17, 1941 02:24 am (Universal Time)7.335 km96 km (60 mi) to the N 54 km ESE of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoJul 21, 1934 06:18 am (Universal Time)7.315 km66 km (41 mi) to the N 45 km SSE of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoJul 18, 1934 07:40 pm (Universal Time)7.710 km40 km (25 mi) to the E 138 km SSE of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoAug 15, 1920 08:16 am (Universal Time)6.635 km62 km (39 mi) to the SE 168 km SSE of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoNov 20, 1919 02:11 pm (Universal Time)6.660 km91 km (57 mi) to the S Santa Cruz IslandsInfoAug 6, 1912 09:11 pm (Universal Time)7.2260 km277 km (172 mi) to the SCoral Sea, 61 km west of Sola, Torba Province, VanuatuInfoOct 20, 1911 05:43 pm (Universal Time)6.635 km40 km (25 mi) to the S 149 km SSE of Lata, Solomon IslandsInfoDec 10, 1909 10:23 am (GMT +11)7.70 km220 km (137 mi) to the NWSouth Pacific Ocean, 147 km northwest of New Jersey Island, Solomon IslandsInfoJul 29, 1900 05:59 pm (GMT +11)7.60 km220 km (137 mi) to the NW Santa Cruz Islands (Solomon Islands)InfoMap of earlier quakes in the area of this quakeMax results102050100AllMagnitudeAll2+3+4+5+6+7+8+Time before48 hours1 week30 days1 year5 years30 yearsAny ageOldest quakes are shown in yellow, most recent in red.[quakes -][quakes +][smaller][bigger]