WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu in the South Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, the USGS said.
The earthquake occurred at a depth of 57 kilometers (35 miles) and was centered 30 kilometers (10 miles) west of Port Vila, the island nation’s largest city. The tremor was followed by a 5.5 magnitude aftershock near the same location.
It was not immediately clear whether it had caused any damage, but Vanuatu government websites were offline following the quake and telephone numbers for police and other public agencies were not available. not connected. The social networks of the national geohazards agency and the Prime Minister’s office have not been updated.
A video posted on social media appears to show a building housing some diplomatic missions in Vanuatu – including those of Britain, France and New Zealand – with damage to its structure, including warped windows and debris falling apart. had collapsed from the walls to the ground.
The USGS warned of tsunami waves on some coasts of Vanuatu, a group of 80 islands that is home to about 330,000 people. Waves could reach 0.3 to 1 meter above tide level, the agency said.
Some islands in this low-lying atoll country sit 3 feet above sea level.
The USGS also warned of tsunami waves reaching less than 0.3 meters (1 foot) above tide level in a number of neighboring Pacific island countries, including Papua New Guinea , Fiji and the Solomon Islands.
Authorities in Australia and New Zealand, both in the Pacific Ocean, said there was no tsunami threat to their countries.
New Zealand’s Foreign Ministry said 37 New Zealanders were registered as being in Vanuatu. The ministry did not provide details on the status of their nationals.
