Shallow M5.9 earthquake hits offshore Vanuatu

A shallow M5.9 earthquake was registered at 08:56 UTC on October 24, 2026, approximately 196 km (122 miles) northwest of Port-Olry, Vanuatu. The earthquake occurred offshore at a depth of 10.0 km (6.2 miles), at coordinates 165.6°E, 13.9°S.

Based on the coordinates provided, the earthquake’s epicenter was located offshore northwest of Espiritu Santo, within the northern sector of the Vanuatu island arc. The closest major settlement is Port-Olry, but the area is characterized by scattered coastal communities and uninhabited waters.

Nearby infrastructure in the region includes shipping lanes, small ports servicing inter-island transport, and regional airstrips on the nearest islands. No large urban facilities are nearby.

There is no tsunami threat associated with this earthquake, based on its location and available data.

USGS issued a green alert for this event, indicating a low likelihood of casualties or damage. The maximum estimated intensity reached IV, and the significance index is 536 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), based on magnitude, felt reports, and estimated impact.

Vanuatu sits along the tectonically active boundary between the Australian and Pacific Plates, forming part of the Vanuatu subduction zone. The region is prone to frequent moderate and strong earthquakes due to intense tectonic activity along this subduction interface.

This information was last updated at 09:13 UTC on October 24, 2026.