A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.3 struck Vanuatu on Tuesday, leading to a series of alerts from the US Tsunami Warning System.
Police have confirmed that at least one person has died.
According to the US Geological Survey, the epicenter of the earthquake was located 30km west of the capital Port Vila at a depth of 57.1km.
According to Reuters, the earthquake resulted in damage to a building that housed multiple foreign embassies, including those of the US, British, French, and New Zealand. There are videos and pictures surfacing, showcasing the extent of the destruction to buildings in Port Vila.
In a statement, the US Embassy Port Moresby expressed awareness of the recent earthquake in Port Vila, Vanuatu. The US Embassy in Port Vila has been significantly damaged and is temporarily closed. The embassy extended its thoughts and support to all those affected by the earthquake and assured that the US government will collaborate closely with its partners in Vanuatu.
VBTC, the state broadcaster of Vanuatu, recently aired distressing footage showing vehicles crushed under the weight of a collapsed building on a busy street filled with retail shops. According to the broadcaster’s report, there was at least one person trapped in the rubble, further adding to the urgency of the situation.
According to the New Zealand Herald, Port Vila experienced several small tsunami waves measuring 25cm. However, the warnings issued by the US were later lifted.
According to New Zealand’s authorities, including the National Emergency Management Agency and GNS Science (Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences), there is no perceived threat of a tsunami to New Zealand.
According to the latest information available, experts have determined that the earthquake is not expected to generate a tsunami that could potentially endanger New Zealand.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Affairs, there are currently 37 New Zealanders registered on SafeTravel as being in Vanuatu. It is advised that these individuals follow the advice and guidance provided by the local authorities.
According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Australia is not at risk from the earthquake. However, several smaller aftershocks were observed, with one of them measuring a magnitude of 5.5.
Dan McGarry, a journalist with the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project based in Vanuatu, expressed his experience of the recent earthquake in the Pacific Islands. He described it as the most violent earthquake he has encountered in his 21 years of living in Vanuatu. Having witnessed numerous large earthquakes before, McGarry emphasized that this one was unlike any other.
The earthquake occurred in a region where the Australia and Pacific tectonic plates intersect, making it one of the most seismically active areas globally.
According to the US Geological Survey, earthquakes of magnitude 7 or larger within 250 km of the interface leading up to the earthquake on December 17, 2024, were relatively rare, with only 24 occurrences in the century prior.
In December 1950, a massive earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale struck the region, with its epicenter located approximately 86km southwest of Port Vila.
According to data from the USGS, Vanuatu experienced six aftershocks in the aftermath of the initial earthquake.