Earthquakes in the Solomon Islands — August 2026
7 earthquakes were recorded in the Solomon Islands during August 2026, an average of 0.2 per day.
7 reached magnitude 4 or above and 3 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 62 km.
The month's largest event in the Solomon Islands was a magnitude 5.3 earthquake near Lata, Solomon Islands on 23 August 2026 at 21:32 UTC. A magnitude 5.3 earthquake radiates roughly 1,344 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 up from the 4 recorded the previous month.
57% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 43% intermediate (70–300 km) and 0% deep-focus (over 300 km). A substantial share of intermediate-depth events points to a subducting slab beneath the region rather than purely crustal faulting.
By band, the catalogue holds 4 in the magnitude 4 range, 3 in the magnitude 5 range.
Activity peaked on 23 August, when 2 events were recorded.
The month's largest events were M5.3 near Lata, Solomon Islands on 23 August at 10 km; M5.2 near Kirakira, Solomon Islands on 23 August at 120 km; M5.1 near Buala, Solomon Islands on 06 August at 54 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, August 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3 | Lata, Solomon Islands | 10.0 | Solomon Islands | View details View | |
| 5.2 | Kirakira, Solomon Islands | 120.3 | Solomon Islands | View details View | |
| 5.1 | Buala, Solomon Islands | 54.3 | Solomon Islands | View details View | |
| 4.9 | Lata, Solomon Islands | 71.2 | Solomon Islands | View details View | |
| 4.8 | Kirakira, Solomon Islands | 69.8 | Solomon Islands | View details View | |
| 4.8 | Gizo, Solomon Islands | 35.0 | Solomon Islands | View details View | |
| 4.6 | Lata, Solomon Islands | 75.4 | Solomon Islands | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit the Solomon Islands in August 2026?
7 earthquakes were recorded in the Solomon Islands during August 2026, of which 7 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in the Solomon Islands in August 2026?
A magnitude 5.3 event near Lata, Solomon Islands on 23 August 2026.
Other months in the Solomon Islands
Magnitudes for August 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.