A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.5 hit the Fiji region at 22:13 UTC on May 21, 2021, at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.7 at a depth of 10 km.
The epicenter was located 267 km (166 miles) SSE of Alo, Alo, Wallis and Futuna and 351 km (218 miles) E of Labasa, Fiji.
There are no people living within 100 km (62 miles).
1 000 people are estimated to have felt light shaking and 330 000 weak.
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are informal (metal, timber, GI etc.) and unknown/miscellaneous types of construction.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Regional seismicity
Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google
Author:
Teo Blašković
Researcher, journalist and editor of The Watchers. You can reach me at teo [ at ] watchers.news.
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