A deep M6.2 earthquake registered by the USGS struck 43 km ESE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu, at 21:46:44 UTC on October 29, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 142 km (89 miles). EMSC is reporting the same depth and magnitude.
Continuous eruptive activity at Manaro Voui volcano on Ambae Island, Vanuatu, is producing ash plumes rising to about 4 km (2.5 miles) above sea level and generating acid rain affecting multiple islands as of March 6, 2026. Authorities maintain Alert Level 3, indicating a minor eruption, while ashfall and acidic rainfall are damaging crops, contaminating water supplies, and raising health concerns across parts of northern Vanuatu.
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 struck 214 km (133 miles) NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu, at 02:21 UTC on October 28, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
An M6.9 earthquake struck off northern Vanuatu at 13:31 LT (02:31 UTC) on October 24, 2026, followed four minutes and 29 seconds later by an M6.3 event and at least eight additional M5+ earthquakes in the USGS catalog through 05:23 UTC.The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the tsunami threat had passed at 03:28 UTC. No immediate damage or casualties were reported.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 hit Vanuatu at 04:20 UTC on October 20, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 16 km (9.9 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.3 at a depth of 5 km (3.1 miles). According to the NWS Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 struck 102 km NE of Norsup, Vanuatu, at 09:00 UTC on October 8, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.3 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
At least one person was confirmed dead and more than 30 remained missing on September 13 after the inter-island ferry MV Matui sank in rough seas while travelling from Santo to Ambae in northern Vanuatu on September 11. The Office of Prime Minister Jotham Napat said 15 people had been accounted for alive as search operations were scaled back in open water and concentrated closer to the southeast coast of Ambae.
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit Vanuatu at 03:20 UTC (14:20 LT) on August 16, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 188.1 km (116.9 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit Vanuatu at 21:37 UTC on July 24, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 45 km (28 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth. Vanuatu Meteorology & Geo-hazards Department (VMGD) is reporting M5.9 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).
A major earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.3 hit near Luganville, Vanuatu at 08:44 UTC (19:44 LT) on March 30, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 115.8 km (72 miles). EMSC is reporting M7.3 at a depth of 116 km. According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), there is no tsunami threat from this event.
