Hot weather and the hot season do not cause earthquakes, experts say, dismissing growing public speculation following a series of recent quakes in Vanuatu. Scientists from the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD) have clarified that there is no scientific evidence linking temperature or seasonal heat to earthquake activity.
The clarification comes after Vanuatu recorded several earthquakes in recent days, raising concern among residents still recovering from the devastating December 17, 2024 earthquake. The most recent one occurred this morning, measuring 4.2 magnitude at a depth of 32 kilometres, located 10 kilometres south of Port Vila.
This follows two earthquakes recorded on December 18, 2025. The first, a magnitude 5.5 quake, struck northwest of Erromango and was felt in parts of Efate. Later the same day, a second earthquake measuring 5.4 magnitude occurred west-southwest of Aneityum at a depth of 53 kilometres.
Despite the recent activity, authorities say the belief that hot weather triggers earthquakes is a misconception. Director of VMGD, Levu Antfalo, addressed the concern directly.
“No studies in this area as far as I know, so no — there is no link between earthquakes and the hot season,” Antfalo said.
Seismic officer Melinda Aru also dismissed the idea, emphasizing that earthquakes are driven by geological processes, not weather conditions.
“More studies need to be made to prove the theory, but what I know is that earthquakes are linked to tectonic movements,” she said.
Scientific Researches
Scientific research supports this position. The U.S. Geological Survey explains that earthquakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates deep within the Earth. While extreme weather events such as hurricanes can sometimes trigger very small, slow-moving seismic events, that are known as “slow-slip events” and do not produce the strong ground shaking.
NASA, a U.S government agency has also noted that factors like heavy rainfall or rapid temperature changes may slightly affect surface stress at very shallow levels. However, these effects are minor and are not capable of causing large or destructive earthquakes.
Tectonic Forces Drive Seismic Activity
Vanuatu sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” one of the most seismically active regions in the world. Earthquakes in the region occur when stress builds up along fault lines and is released as tectonic plates move against each other.
Geological studies consistently show that earthquake patterns are controlled by tectonic activity rather than seasonal or weather-related changes.
Staying Informed and Prepared
While the recent earthquakes have raised public concern, experts stress that seismic activity in Vanuatu is a natural result of its geological setting and not hot weather. Authorities continue to monitor seismic activity closely and encourage the public to rely on verified scientific information.
VMGD says it remains committed to educating communities and providing accurate information to help residents better understand earthquakes and remain prepared.
The belief that hot weather causes earthquakes remains unproven and unsupported by science.
