(Photo courtesy of Anadolu)
ONTARIO – A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Vanuatu early Saturday, October 24, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The USGS reported that the earthquake’s epicenter was approximately 197 kilometers west-northwest of Port-Olry, Vanuatu, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers.
A second earthquake measuring magnitude 6.3 was later recorded at 2:35 a.m. GMT, about 170 kilometers northwest of Port-Olry.
The second tremor also occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers.
The USGS assigned the magnitude 6.3 earthquake a green alert level, indicating a low likelihood of significant casualties and economic losses. Light shaking was reported.
There were no immediate details in the report regarding casualties or damage from either earthquake.
Vanuatu lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity due to the movement of tectonic plates.
