LUGANVILLE: A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu on Saturday, according to the United States Geological Survey. The quake was recorded at 02:27 UTC, which is 1:27 p.m. local time in Vanuatu, and was centered about 50 kilometers (31 miles) west northwest of the village of Port-Olry on Espiritu Santo island. The USGS listed the depth at about 10 kilometers (6 miles).
The epicenter was located in the northern part of the Vanuatu archipelago in the South Pacific, where earthquakes are common along the boundary of major tectonic plates. Initial automated readings placed the earthquake in open ocean near the northern islands, with mapping and distance estimates referenced to nearby communities on Espiritu Santo. Seismic agencies routinely update locations, magnitudes and depths as additional data are processed.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami information statement after the quake, listing a preliminary magnitude of 6.5 and a depth of about 6 miles. The center said no tsunami impacts were expected for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, and it did not issue a broader tsunami warning for the wider Pacific based on its initial assessment. Tsunami bulletins and earthquake parameters are commonly revised as monitoring continues.
Vanuatu’s Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department maintained its standard public guidance for residents who felt shaking, including instructions on submitting felt reports and reviewing earthquake and tsunami safety information. The department also publishes preparedness materials covering evacuation routes, tsunami safety steps and recommended actions during and after strong ground shaking. Authorities often use these public reporting tools to help assess impacts and prioritize field checks.
Tsunami information statement
Vanuatu sits on the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire, a broad arc of faults and subduction zones that generates frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. The country is located near the New Hebrides Trench, where the Australian Plate is forced beneath the Pacific Plate, producing regular offshore earthquakes that can be felt across the island chain. Many quakes occur at shallow depths, which can increase the likelihood of strong shaking near the epicenter.
The latest quake follows several years of recurring seismic activity across Vanuatu and neighboring island states in the southwest Pacific. In December 2024, a stronger earthquake struck near the capital, Port Vila, causing fatalities and widespread damage, underscoring the region’s exposure to seismic hazards. Disaster officials in the Pacific regularly emphasize preparedness and rapid reporting to support emergency response when major tremors occur.
Seismic monitoring and public guidance
Seismic monitoring centers continue to track the Vanuatu event through regional and global sensor networks, and any updated measurements are typically reflected in follow-up bulletins. Earthquake magnitudes and depths are determined from multiple seismic readings, and early solutions can be refined as additional station data become available. Tsunami centers also review sea level gauges and modeling to confirm whether wave activity is observed after offshore quakes.
Public safety agencies in Vanuatu and across the Pacific encourage residents in coastal areas to follow official guidance after strong shaking, including moving to higher ground if local alerts indicate tsunami risk. The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department publishes earthquake and tsunami safety checklists and maintains channels for residents to report shaking intensity. Emergency officials advise the public to rely on official statements for confirmed updates. – By Content Syndication Services.