Vanuatu: Magnitude-5.1 offshore earthquake occurs in the Coral Sea, near Torba Province, at 14:58 VUT May 27

Event

A magnitude-5.1 earthquake occurred in the Coral Sea, near the Torres Islands in Torba Province, northern Vanuatu, at around 14:58 VUT May 27. The epicenter was about 102 km (63 miles) northwest of Sola. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 96 km (60 miles) and light shaking may have occurred in areas across northern Vanuatu, including the northern parts of Sanma Province. 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.