Vanuatu: A 6.6-magnitude offshore earthquake strikes Coral Sea around 05:04 March 3

Event

A magnitude-6.6 offshore earthquake occurred in Coral Sea around 05:04 March 3 The epicenter was about About 81 km (51 miles) west-southwest of Port-Olry, Vanuatu. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 6.5 (10 km/ 6 miles), and very strong shaking was probably felt near the epicenter, with strong to moderate shaking throughout northern Vanuatu islands. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; however, significant damage is possible. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. A magnitude-5.4 aftershock occurred around 05:11 VUT March 3. Additional aftershocks are likely 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.

Advice

Out of an abundance of caution, consider vacating multistory buildings where shaking occurred until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Monitor and plan for aftershocks.