December 17th 2024.
Reports have come in that a powerful earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale has struck the coastal region of Vanuatu. The epicenter of the quake was located approximately 20 kilometers off the shore of Vanuatu's capital, Port Vila, at around 12:47pm. Thankfully, the Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed that there is no threat of a tsunami to Australia.
According to early data from the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake originated at a depth of 57 kilometers. At this time, it is unclear whether any damage was caused by the tremors. However, a magnitude 5.5 aftershock was felt in the same location shortly after the initial quake.
The impact of the earthquake was felt in other ways as well. In the aftermath, government websites in Vanuatu were temporarily offline. Additionally, the USGS has issued a warning for potential tsunami waves along certain coasts of Vanuatu. This group of 80 islands is home to a population of approximately 330,000 people.
We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available. For now, we are grateful that there have been no reported casualties or major damage. Our thoughts are with those who have been affected by this natural disaster.
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