Strong quake off the northern islands

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu in the South Pacific on Saturday 24 October 2026, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami warning before later declaring that the threat had passed. The earthquake struck at 02:31 GMT at a depth of 10 kilometres, with its epicentre about 197 kilometres west-northwest of Port-Olry, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The agency initially estimated the quake at magnitude 7.2 before revising it down to 6.9 after further analysis. Vanuatu's Geological Hazards Department had earlier urged people in coastal areas to move to higher ground while the warning was active. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center first warned that hazardous waves were possible along coasts within 300 kilometres of the epicentre.

Second quake and aftershocks

A second earthquake, measuring magnitude 6.3, struck the region at 02:35 GMT, about four minutes after the larger tremor. Its epicentre was approximately 170 kilometres northwest of Port-Olry, also at a depth of 10 kilometres. The United States Geological Survey assigned the second earthquake a green alert level, indicating a low likelihood of significant casualties or damage.

Further aftershocks were reported through the day, and Vanuatu's former prime minister noted continuing tremors and urged residents to stay alert and follow official updates. Seismic monitoring listed at least 10 events of magnitude 5.0 or greater between 02:31 and 05:23 UTC, showing how active the sequence remained in its early hours.

Warning lifted, caution remains

In a subsequent bulletin issued at 03:28 GMT, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center confirmed that the tsunami threat had passed. It warned that minor sea-level fluctuations could still occur in some coastal areas near the earthquake over the following hours, but said no further action was required beyond normal caution near the sea.