Magnitude 7.2 Earthquake Strikes Vanuatu, Triggering Tsunami Warning

A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Vanuatu, an island nation in the southern Pacific Ocean, on Saturday (24 October) local time. The powerful quake prompted a tsunami warning.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), as reported by Reuters and AFP on Saturday (24 October 2026), the earthquake struck an offshore area about 200 kilometres west of Sola, Vanuatu.

The epicentre was reported to be at a depth of 10 kilometres.

There have so far been no reports of damage or casualties resulting from the earthquake.

However, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued a tsunami warning following the powerful quake. The warning applies to coastal areas within a 300-kilometre radius of the epicentre.

“Based on the preliminary earthquake parameters… hazardous tsunami waves may occur along coasts within a 300-kilometre radius of the epicentre,” the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, based in Hawaii, said.