In brief
A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck near Vanuatu, prompting tsunami alerts for local and nearby island communities. Waves could reach significant heights as authorities work to assess the situation.
By Yan Zhuang Dec. 16, 2024, 9:49 p.m. ET A strong 7.3-magnitude earthquake occurred near the Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu early Tuesday afternoon local time, according to reports from the United States Geological Survey. The quake's epicenter was located approximately 18 miles off the coast of Port Vila, Vanuatu's coastal capital. This archipelago, situated about 1,000 miles northeast of Australia, consists of over 80 islands with a total population of around 300,000.In response to the seismic activity, the U.S. Tsunami Warning System indicated that certain coastal regions of Vanuatu could experience tsunami waves rising as high as 3.2 feet above the normal tide level. Additionally, nearby island nations such as Fiji, Kiribati, and New Caledonia may see waves below one foot as a result of the tremor. Authorities are continuing to assess the potential impact on the region, with ongoing updates expected.This event is unfolding, and further developments will be closely monitored. Yan Zhuang is a Times reporter based in Seoul, specializing in breaking news. More information about Yan Zhuang can be found in their coverage.
