Vanuatu: new magnitude-6.2 earthquake on 25 October, at 136 km depth
USGS records a different earthquake from the magnitude-6.9 event of 24 October. The earlier tsunami threat-ending announcement applied solely to the older event.
Updated 25.10.2026 · 04:59, Athens time — What changed
The US Geological Survey (USGS) records a new magnitude-6.2 earthquake on 25 October 2026 at 02:24:02 UTC — 04:24:02 Athens time. Its epicentre is 21 km east of Port-Olry, with a depth of approximately 136 km.
The reviewed entry has the identifier us6000u4rf. This is a different event from the magnitude-6.9 earthquake on 24 October, rather than a revision of that earthquake’s magnitude.
The PTWC announcement ending the tsunami threat, retained in the history below, applies only to the 24 October earthquake. It does not carry over to the new event. The seismic entry is not a confirmed casualty or damage assessment; the data may be revised.
Earlier update — earthquake of 24 October
USGS has revised the magnitude of the offshore Vanuatu earthquake on 24 October 2026 to 6.9. Its reviewed entry gives an origin time of 02:31:28 UTC — 05:31:28 Athens time, a depth of 10 kilometres and a location 197 kilometres west-northwest of Port-Olry.
The latest bulletin
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), in final message number 2 at 03:28 UTC — 06:28 Athens time, says the tsunami threat from this earthquake has passed. It notes that minor sea-level fluctuations may occur along nearby coasts over the next few hours.
What changed
PTWC’s first bulletin at 02:37 UTC used a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 and said hazardous waves were possible along Vanuatu’s coasts within 300 kilometres of the epicentre. That was the initial assessment also carried by ERT. The final bulletin supersedes it regarding the threat.
Seismic estimates may be revised as more data become available. The end of the tsunami threat is not a damage or casualty assessment. PTWC bulletins support national authorities, which determine local instructions.
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