New Caledonia: Magnitude-6.8 offshore earthquake occurs southeast of Loyalty Islands at around 16:44 March 31

Event

A magnitude-6.8 offshore earthquake occurred in the South Pacific Ocean southeast of New Caledonia at around 16:44 March 31. The epicenter was about 279 km (173 miles) east-southeast of Tadine. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and weak-to-light shaking was probably felt throughout Mare Island and Isle of Pines. 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. Authorities have warned that hazardous tsunami waves are possible for coasts located within 300 km (186 miles) of the epicenter. Reports indicate small tsunami waves of 0.07 meters (0.2 feet) near Mare and Ouinne.

This event follows the magnitude-6.9 earthquake that occurred at around 07:56 March 31. Several moderate aftershocks have occurred, including a magnitude-5.7 earthquake at around 14:06 the same day. Further 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

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.