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A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu in the South Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, according to the USGS. The earthquake, which occurred at a depth of 57 kilometers (35 mi), was centered 30 kilometers (10 mi) west of Port Vila, the island nation’s largest city.
The Associated Press reported that a 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck near the same location.
Also Read: Earthquake Today: US Weather Service cancels tsunami warning for West Coast after 7.0 magnitude earthquake hits Northern California
Although it was not immediately clear whether it caused any damage, Vanuatu government websites were offline after the earthquake and phone numbers for police and other public agencies were not connected. The social media channels of the country’s geo-hazard agency and the Prime Minister’s Office have not been updated.
A video posted on social media shows a building that houses some of Vanuatu’s diplomatic missions – including those of Britain, France and New Zealand – and some damage to their structure, including bent windows and debris. Which has fallen from the walls to the ground.
“The USGS has warned of tsunami waves for some coasts of Vanuatu, a group of 80 islands that is home to about 330,000 people. Waves could reach 0.3 meters to 1 meter (1 to 3 feet) above tide level,” the agency said.
Some islands in the low-lying atoll nation are 3 feet above sea level.
The USGS also warned of tsunami waves registering less than 0.3 meters (1 foot) above tide level for several nearby Pacific island countries, including Papua New Guinea, Fiji and the Solomon Islands.
It was not immediately clear whether it caused any damage.
Authorities in Australia and New Zealand, located in the Pacific Ocean, have confirmed that there is no threat of tsunami in their countries.
New Zealand’s Foreign Ministry said 37 New Zealand citizens were registered in Vanuatu, the AP reported, although it did not provide further information on their status.
The USGS has warned of tsunami waves along some coasts of Vanuatu.
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