Shallow M7.2 earthquake hits offshore Vanuatu

A shallow M7.2 earthquake was registered at 02:31 UTC on October 24, 2026, about 200 km (124 miles) west of Sola, Vanuatu. The event took place at a depth of 10.0 km (6.2 miles), based on coordinates 165.7°E, 13.8°S, as reported by USGS.

The epicenter is located offshore to the west of Sola, on the island of Vanua Lava, within the northern Vanuatu region. The affected area consists of sparsely populated islands and the surrounding South Pacific waters, with Sola as the closest notable settlement. The Vanuatu island chain is known for its seismic activity due to its position along the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Critical infrastructure in this region is limited but may include local airstrips, maritime routes, and small harborage facilities that support transport between the islands. Given the offshore location, vital shipping lanes and fishing grounds in surrounding waters could also be impacted.

There is a tsunami threat associated with this earthquake, based on its location and available data.

USGS received 2 felt reports related to this event. The significance index is 798 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), based on magnitude, felt reports, and estimated impact.

Vanuatu is situated along the boundary between the Australian and Pacific Plates, making it highly prone to significant seismic and volcanic events. Major earthquakes here can occur frequently due to subduction processes in the region.

This information was last updated at 02:46 UTC on October 24, 2026.