Two strong earthquakes off Vanuatu trigger tsunami warning

A tsunami warning has been issued after two strong earthquakes struck off the coast of Vanuatu on Saturday afternoon. The first quake measured magnitude 6.9 and struck about 200 kilometres west of Sola, followed five minutes later by a magnitude 6.3 tremor. The warning covers coastlines within 300 kilometres of the epicentre, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.

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The larger earthquake was recorded at 12:31pm AEST, according to the US Geological Survey. The warning centre said hazardous tsunami waves were possible for coastlines within the affected radius. It initially listed the larger quake at magnitude 7.2 before the US Geological Survey downgraded it to 6.9.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said Vanuatu was the area potentially affected in its initial threat forecast. It urged people in threatened coastal areas to stay alert for information and follow instructions from national and local authorities. Australia is not currently under threat, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

The event is significant because Vanuatu sits in a seismically active part of the southwest Pacific, where strong earthquakes can quickly raise tsunami concerns for nearby islands and coastlines. Even when waves do not become destructive, warnings can trigger precautionary evacuations, transport disruption and heightened monitoring across the region. The short interval between the two quakes also increases concern for local authorities assessing the immediate risk.

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The available information points to a fast-moving situation centred on the waters west of Sola, in Vanuatu's northern islands. The US Geological Survey and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre are the main technical bodies providing magnitude and hazard assessments. Local and national authorities are expected to use those assessments to decide whether further public warnings or protective measures are needed.

What remains unclear is whether the warning will lead to measurable tsunami waves or any damage on Vanuatu's coastlines. The immediate focus is on monitoring sea levels and following official instructions as the situation develops. Further updates will depend on whether the threat level changes and whether any impacts are reported from the affected islands.

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