Vanuatu-rattled by a major earthquake
Aug 11, 2010 I Uncategorized.Vanuatu was rattled by a major earthquake Tuesday afternoon sparking a tsunami warning in the region. The warning was down-ranged after a small wave reached Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila measuring only 23 centimeters high.
The United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program said that the earthquake as a magnitude 7.3 quake, striking at 04:23:46 PM (Vanuatu time) at epicenter, with a depth of 35 km (21.7 miles), and 35 km (20 miles) West Nor West of Port Vila, Vanuatu.
Fears that a tsunami may pursue the quake caused locals to head for high ground. The tsunami threat has been reduced, although warning is advised as aftershocks measuring around 5 magnitudes are currently occurring in the region. At the time of writing there were no reports of injuries, however light damage was reported about Port Vila’s central business district.