Shallow M6.0 earthquake hits near Port-Olry, Vanuatu

A shallow M6.0 earthquake was recorded at 11:47 UTC on November 1, 2026, approximately 165 km (103 miles) northwest of Port-Olry, Vanuatu. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 10.0 km (6.2 miles), based on data from the USGS.

The epicenter was located at 165.8°E, 14.2°S, placing it offshore, northwest of Port-Olry on the island of Espiritu Santo. This area is sparsely populated, with Port-Olry being one of the nearest notable communities.

Due to its offshore location near one of Vanuatu’s islands, the region potentially includes coastal infrastructure such as small ports, local roadways, and possibly airstrips or maritime facilities serving island transport and fishing industries.

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

Vanuatu lies in an active seismic zone along the boundary between the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates, which makes it susceptible to frequent strong and shallow earthquakes.

This information was last updated at 12:06 UTC on November 1, 2026.