A strong magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck off Vanuatu this Thursday, triggering a ‘tsunami’ warning in the Pacific Ocean.
“Dangerous ‘tsunamis’ caused by this earthquake are possible within 300 kilometers of the epicenter along the coasts of Vanuatu and New Caledonia,” the Pacific Warning Center warned.
The earthquake occurred at 23:56 local time (12:56 in Lisbon) at a depth of 48 kilometers.
Notable earthquake, preliminary information: M 7.1 – 123 km S of Isangel, Vanuatu https://t.co/hv5NSCBezG
– USGS Earthquakes (@USGS_Quakes) December 7, 2023
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter was 123 kilometers south of Isangel, Vanuatu, and 204 kilometers east of Wé, New Caledonia.
There were no immediate reports of possible casualties or damage.
“A ‘tsunami’ is a series of waves. The time between wave crests can vary from five minutes to an hour. The danger could persist for many hours or longer after the initial wave,” the Honolulu warning center said.
The same center recommended that government agencies responsible for endangered coastal areas should take measures to inform and educate local people.
“People in threatened coastal areas should remain alert and follow instructions from national and local authorities,” he added.
Source: DN
