Vanuatu: Magnitude-5.3 offshore earthquake occurs in Coral Sea north-northeast of Luganville, Sanma Province, at around 1817 VUT Jan. 18

Event

A magnitude-5.3 earthquake occurred in the Coral Sea, offshore of northern Vanuatu, at around 1817 VUT Jan. 18. The epicenter was about 105 km (65 miles) north-northeast of Luganville, Sanma Province. The tremor occurred at a depth of approximately 161 km (100 miles), and weak shaking may have occurred throughout Malampa, Penama, Sanma, and Torba provinces. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties because 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. The incident has not prompted any tsunami advisories.

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 authorities do not find any damage. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

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.