Official announcements from the U.S. Embassy in Vanuatu or the U.S. State Department

7.4 Magnitude Quake Near Vanuatu's Port Vila Damages Embassies and Triggers Tsunami Warnings

Dec 17, 2024, 02:26 AM

A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.4 struck off the coast of Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024, prompting tsunami warnings. The quake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, according to the US Geological Survey. The earthquake caused damage to buildings, including the one housing the U.S., U.K., and French embassies. Authorities issued tsunami warnings for the region, and local agencies, including New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and GNS Science, were assessing the risk. Aftershocks, including a magnitude 5.5 quake, were recorded. Nearby countries, such as Australia, reported no immediate tsunami threat.