Tsunami Warning Raised as Magnitude-7.0 Earthquake Strikes Vanuatu

UPDATE: The tsunami alert has been canceled. There was no threat of a Pacific-wide tsunami, the PTWC said.

Staff at the Bauerfield International Airport told Pacific Beat they felt the quake, but damage to the capital, Port Vila, was unlikely.

A shallow magnitude-7.0 earthquake has struck the Vanuatu island of Malekula, 64 kilometres south south-east of Luganville.

The sparsely populated village of Norsup was 5 kilometres from the epicentre, which struck on land at a depth of 35 kilometres, the US Geological Survey said.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) has advised people located near coastal areas, within 300 kilometres of the epicentre, to stay alert for information and follow instructions from national and local authorities.

Waves measuring one to three metres above the tide level are possible along Vanuatu coasts.

The alert is also in force for New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands for damaging waves.

There was no threat of a Pacific-wide tsunami, the PTWC said.

Editor’s Comment: This is breaking news so more will be added as becomes available.