Vanuatu earthquake today - M6.9 and tsunami warning, Oct 24, 2026

Vanuatu earthquake: M6.9 quake and tsunami warning on October 24, 2026

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck beneath the sea northwest of Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu, on Saturday October 24, 2026 at 02:31 UTC (1:31pm in Vanuatu, 3:31pm in New Zealand). The quake was shallow, just 10 km deep. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned of hazardous waves within 300 km, then declared the threat over less than an hour later.

Marcin FierkaPublished: October 24, 2026

What we know

The USGS puts the magnitude at 6.9, revised down from an initial 7.2. The epicentre lay offshore at 14.06° S, 165.55° E, roughly 197 km west-northwest of Port-Olry on Espiritu Santo and about 200 km west of Sola, the main town of the Banks Islands.

The rupture was only 10 km below the seabed. Shallow undersea quakes of this size are exactly the kind that can push water around, which is why the USGS flagged the event for tsunami potential.

Tsunami warning lifted

The PTWC said hazardous waves were possible within 300 km, with a first arrival at Espiritu Santo estimated around 03:01 UTC. Vanuatu’s disaster officials briefly asked people to move away from the coast. At 03:28 UTC the centre declared the threat had passed.

PAGER rated the quake green, and only two people had reported feeling it to the USGS - the epicentre was far from the populated islands.

A restless week

Vanuatu sits where the Australian plate dives beneath the Pacific plate, one of the most seismically active zones on the planet. Another strong, shallow quake hit near Espiritu Santo on October 20. Aftershocks are possible; follow them on our live map.

FAQ

What time was the Vanuatu earthquake in UK, US and Australian time?

It struck at 02:31 UTC on Saturday October 24, 2026: 3:31am in London (BST), 1:31pm in Sydney (AEDT) and 10:31pm on Friday October 23 in New York (EDT).

Was there a tsunami after the Vanuatu earthquake?

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) warned of possible hazardous waves on coasts within 300 km of the epicentre. At 03:28 UTC it said the threat had passed, though minor sea level changes could continue for a few hours. No threat was identified for New Zealand or Australia.

Were there any casualties or damage?

There were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage. The USGS PAGER system issued a green alert, meaning a low likelihood of losses.