Magnitude 6.9 earthquake strikes off Vanuatu; the tsunami threat passed within an hour, the warning center said
Oct. 24, 2026 — A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck at sea about 197 km west-northwest of Port-Olry, Vanuatu, at 02:31 UTC on Oct. 24, the U.S. Geological Survey said. Both U.S. tsunami warning centers initially estimated it at magnitude 7.2 before it was revised to 6.9. USGS has not determined the quake's depth; its 10 km figure is a fixed value.
At 02:37 UTC, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said hazardous tsunami waves were possible for coasts within 300 km of the epicenter, along the coasts of Vanuatu. At 03:28 UTC it said the threat had passed, with minor sea-level fluctuations possible near the quake. A magnitude 6.3 quake followed about four minutes later, about 35 km to the east. USGS's PAGER alert for the main quake is green, its lowest level. The nearest land, northwest Espiritu Santo, is about 125 to 130 km away.
The quake is part of a week of activity in the same patch of sea. USGS lists 59 earthquakes of magnitude 4.5 or larger within 150 km since Oct. 19, including a magnitude 6.0 that day and a magnitude 6.3 on Oct. 20, about 9 km from the Oct. 24 epicenter. Thirty-three were recorded on Oct. 24 as of 22:50 UTC.
TDD reports on public information; it does not issue forecasts or warnings. For guidance where you are, contact your local officials.
The wall: USGS had not published a tectonic summary or a measured depth. Reports from Vanuatu's authorities were not included. Distances to land are approximate.
Tier: Confirmed (based on USGS's reviewed earthquake record and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center's messages, as of 22:50 UTC on Oct. 24)
Sources
- U.S. Geological Survey, M 6.9 - 197 km WNW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu (ID us6000u4j2), read Oct. 24, 2026
- Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, Tsunami Threat Message 1 (02:37 UTC) and final message 2 (03:28 UTC), WEPA40, event 26297000 (Oct. 24, 2026)
- U.S. Geological Survey, earthquake catalog search, M4.5+ within 150 km, Sept. 24 to Oct. 24, 2026
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