Shallow M6.0 earthquake hits offshore Vanuatu

A shallow M6.0 earthquake occurred at 02:21 UTC on October 28, 2026, approximately 214 km (133 miles) northwest of Port-Olry, Vanuatu. The seismic event took place at a depth of 10.0 km (6.2 miles), according to data from the USGS.

The earthquake’s epicenter was located offshore at coordinates 165.4°E, 13.9°S in the northern segment of the Vanuatu archipelago. This region lies within the southwest Pacific Ocean, characterized by its proximity to numerous islands and the northeastern coastline of Vanuatu.

Given the offshore nature of the earthquake, regional infrastructure such as maritime routes, fishing operations, and nearby air and sea ports may be in the broader vicinity, but no specific critical installations have been identified from the available data.

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

The significance index is 554 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), based on magnitude, felt reports, and estimated impact.

Vanuatu is situated at the boundary between the Australian and Pacific Plates, making it one of the most seismically active regions in the world. Large subduction-zone earthquakes are common due to the ongoing interaction between these tectonic plates.

This information was last updated at 02:35 UTC on October 28, 2026.