Deep M6.5 earthquake hits Fiji region

Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
A strong and deep earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.5 hit the Fiji region at 11:10 UTC on October 31, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 547 km (339 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
The epicenter was located 186 km (116 miles) ENE of Levuka (population 8 360) and 279 km (174 miles) ENE of Suva (population 77 366), Fiji.
133 000 people are estimated to have felt weak shaking.
There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
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 construction.

Regional seismicity

I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.

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