Vanuatu: Magnitude-5.6 offshore earthquake occurs in Coral Sea west-northwest of Port Vila at around 1344 VUT Feb. 20

Event

A magnitude-5.6 offshore earthquake occurred in the Coral Sea west of Vanuatu at around 1344 VUT Feb. 20. The epicenter was about 70 km (43 miles) west-northwest of Port Vila. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 6 km (4 miles), and light shaking was probably felt throughout Vanuatu. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are possible over the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter. The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.