World
Strong earthquake hits the Pacific off Vanuatu, no tsunami threat
A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.6 has struck the Pacific Ocean off Vanuatu, seismologists say. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
The earthquake, which struck at 5:06 a.m. local time on Wednesday, was centered just off Toga, an island in the Torres Islands archipelago in Torba province. It has a small population of a few hundred people.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) put the preliminary magnitude at 6.6, down from an initial estimate of 6.8. It said it struck at a depth of 47 kilometers (29 miles), making it a shallow earthquake.
There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there is no threat of a tsunami.
The Vanuatu Islands are on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of fault lines circling the Pacific Basin that is prone to frequent and large earthquakes. Volcanic eruptions also occur frequently in the region.
-
US News3 days ago
4 more cats test positive for H5N1 bird flu in the U.S.
-
Legal24 hours ago
Boy, 16, shoots 10 people at Sanford, Florida event venue
-
US News1 week ago
Large fire next to Flying Monkey theater in Plymouth, New Hampshire
-
US News6 days ago
2 killed in cargo plane crash near Fairbanks, Alaska
-
Legal2 days ago
Texas Amber Alert: Legend Torres abducted in San Marcos
-
US News1 week ago
At least 9 people shot at Memphis block party
-
World4 days ago
28 pilot whales die after mass stranding on Australian beach
-
Legal6 days ago
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov arrested for taking bribe