A weak earthquake measuring 2.1 on the Richter scale was reported off the coast of New Caledonia on November 18, 2025, at 20:24:53 UTC. The quake struck at a depth of 18 kilometers (approximately 11 miles) and occurred in the Loyalty Islands region. Initial detection was made by RaspberryShake, which reported the event just three minutes after it occurred.
Despite its measurable magnitude, it is not unusual that residents in the vicinity did not feel the tremor, as such minor earthquakes typically require very specific conditions for perception. At this magnitude, the quake would likely go unnoticed by the general public, and there have been no user reports of feeling the event thus far.
The earthquake’s epicenter was located at a latitude of 20.2°S and a longitude of 167.21°E, with the nearest significant geological feature being the Yasur volcano, approximately 245 kilometers away. Local weather conditions at the time of the quake included overcast skies, a temperature of 25.1°C (77°F), and humidity at 73%, with light winds coming from the east-southeast.
Seismologists estimate that the seismic energy released during this event was approximately 8.9 x 10^7 joules, equivalent to the energy output of a typical earthquake of this magnitude. While unconfirmed, the automatic detection of such seismic events contributes to our understanding of tectonic activity in the region.
As earthquake monitoring technology continues to improve, data collection becomes more refined, helping communities better prepare for larger seismic events.