Earthquakes in the Solomon Islands — May 2026
7 earthquakes were recorded in the Solomon Islands during May 2026, an average of 0.2 per day.
7 reached magnitude 4 or above and 5 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 37 km.
The month's largest event in the Solomon Islands was a magnitude 5.7 earthquake near Auki, Solomon Islands on 16 May 2026 at 15:17 UTC. A magnitude 5.7 earthquake radiates roughly 5,351 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
That is close to the the Solomon Islands monthly average of 6 events over the period we cover, and down from the 9 recorded the previous month.
86% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 14% intermediate (70–300 km) and 0% deep-focus (over 300 km). The mix is dominated by shallow crustal events, with a minority of intermediate-depth activity.
By band, the catalogue holds 2 in the magnitude 4 range, 5 in the magnitude 5 range.
Activity peaked on 12 May, when 2 events were recorded.
The month's largest events were M5.7 near Auki, Solomon Islands on 16 May at 23 km; M5.6 near Lata, Solomon Islands on 12 May at 64 km; M5.4 near Lata, Solomon Islands on 22 May at 10 km.
That is 12% above the 6 events the Solomon Islands averages per month across the 21 months on record.
Largest earthquakes in the Solomon Islands, May 2026
7 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7 | Auki, Solomon Islands | 23.4 | Solomon Islands | View details View | |
| 5.6 | Lata, Solomon Islands | 63.7 | Solomon Islands | View details View | |
| 5.4 | Lata, Solomon Islands | 10.0 | Solomon Islands | View details View | |
| 5.2 | Malango, Solomon Islands | 10.0 | Solomon Islands | View details View | |
| 5.0 | Kirakira, Solomon Islands | 60.8 | Solomon Islands | View details View | |
| 4.9 | Gizo, Solomon Islands | 10.0 | Solomon Islands | View details View | |
| 4.8 | Kirakira, Solomon Islands | 81.6 | Solomon Islands | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit the Solomon Islands in May 2026?
7 earthquakes were recorded in the Solomon Islands during May 2026, of which 7 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in the Solomon Islands in May 2026?
A magnitude 5.7 event near Auki, Solomon Islands on 16 May 2026.
Other months in the Solomon Islands
Magnitudes for May 2026 reflect the current USGS review status and may have been revised since first publication. See our guides on the magnitude scale, focal depth and why earthquakes cluster.