And magnitude 7.3 earthquake shook the coast of Vanuatu, in the ocean, this Tuesday South Pacificas reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The earthquake occurred at a depth of 57 kilometers and its epicenter was located about 30 kilometers west of Port Vilathe largest city in this island country. Subsequently, a magnitude 5.5 replica in the same area.
The USGS warned of possible tsunami waves for some coasts of Vanuatu, which could reach between 0.3 and 1 meter above sea level. It should be noted that some of the islands of the country, made up of 80 islands and home of approximately 330.000 personasare only one meter above sea level, which increases their vulnerability.
In addition, the US agency issued an alert for possible waves of lower intensity, less than 0.3 meters, in other nearby countries in the Pacific, such as Papua New GuineaFiji and the Solomon Islands.
“Tsunami waves have been observed“said the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in a bulletin.
The earthquake caused damage to a building that houses the embassies of the United States and France in the capital Port Vila, according to images verified by the news agency AFP. The quake collapsed a concrete pillar, cracked part of a wall and warped the building’s windows.
The same building also houses other diplomatic missionsand the damage was captured in images shared on social networks.
Vanuatu government websites were down after the quake, while phone numbers for police and other public agencies were not responding to calls.
Vanuatu, located in the so-called “Pacific Ring of Fire””, is one of the most earthquake- and tsunami-prone regions in the world due to its constant seismic activity.
The low elevation of many of its islands exacerbates the risk of flooding and damage caused by tsunamis, making these types of phenomena serious threats to the local population.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation while awaiting a full assessment of possible damage.
Vanuatu is located on the convergent edge of tectonic plateswhere the Pacific Plate and the Australian Plate they interact. This contact between plates generates intense seismic and volcanic activity, since a plate tends to subducir, releasing large amounts of energy in the form of earthquakes.
Subduction drives volcanic activity in the region, as magma generated in this area rises to the surface, forming numerous active volcanoes. Magma movements and volcanic eruptions can also trigger local earthquakes, known as volcanic earthquakes.
(With information from EFE and AFP)
