Coral Sea: Magnitude-5.3 offshore earthquake occurs off Vanuatu Jan. 5

Event

A magnitude-5.3 earthquake occurred in the Coral Sea between southern Vanuatu and the Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia, at around 22:46 VUT Jan. 5. The epicenter was about 88 km (55 miles) southwest of Isangel, Vanuatu. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and moderate-to-light shaking was probably felt throughout Tafea Province in southern Vanuatu and the Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; however, significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Light aftershocks are likely over the coming days. The event 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 no damage is found. 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.