Magnitude 5.7 earthquake — Port-Olry, Vanuatu
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck near Port-Olry, Vanuatu at a depth of about 10 km. Details, shaking intensity and any tsunami information are on the USGS event page.
Explained simply
Vanuatu is an island country in the South Pacific, east of Australia, made up of a chain of volcanic islands. Port-Olry is a settlement on the island of Espiritu Santo, in the country’s north.
Vanuatu lies in a region where parts of Earth’s crust meet and move, making earthquakes a recurring hazard. Their effects can vary with the quake’s depth, distance from settlements and local conditions.
The US Geological Survey records and studies earthquakes worldwide, including their strength and location. Its information helps people assess possible shaking and whether a quake may pose a tsunami risk.