PORT VILA, Vanuatu — Two strong earthquakes struck in quick succession off northern Vanuatu on Saturday, prompting a tsunami warning that was cancelled later in the afternoon, ABC News (Australia) and RNZ reported.
The first quake hit at 12:31 p.m. AEST about 200 kilometres west of Sola, at a depth of 10 kilometres, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially put its magnitude at 7.2; the USGS revised it to 6.9. A second quake of magnitude 6.3 followed about five minutes later. RNZ placed the epicentre about 200 kilometres north-west of Port Olry on Espiritu Santo.
The warning centre said hazardous tsunami waves were possible along coastlines within 300 kilometres of the epicentre and urged people in threatened coastal areas to follow instructions from local authorities. Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology said there was no threat to Australia.
By Saturday afternoon, the Vanuatu Geological Hazards Department said: “Based on latest available sea level and observational data, there is no longer tsunami threat from this earthquake to the Vanuatu coastal areas.” Initial reports did not mention damage or injuries.
Earthquakes are common in Vanuatu, a low-lying archipelago on the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Sources: ABC News (Australia), RNZ
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