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USGS records 6.9 and 6.3 quakes off Vanuatu; tsunami flag set
The U.S. Geological Survey recorded a magnitude 6.9 earthquake west-northwest of Port-Olry, Vanuatu, on Saturday, with a tsunami flag, then a 6.3 nearby, news outlets reported.
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A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck about 197 kilometers (122 miles) west-northwest of Port-Olry, Vanuatu, at 02:31 UTC on Saturday, the U.S. Geological Survey said, listing a tsunami flag and a depth of 10 kilometers1.
USGS later recorded a magnitude 6.3 quake nearby at 02:35 UTC, also at 10 kilometers depth, according to Radio New Zealand and ABC News Australia, which cited USGS figures5,6.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said hazardous tsunami waves were possible for coasts within 300 kilometers of the epicenter, RNZ and ABC reported5,6. ABC said Australia's Bureau of Meteorology issued no threat for Australia6.
Early reports used a higher figure. NZ Herald and RNZ described a 7.2-magnitude event; RNZ and ABC said USGS later put the larger quake at 6.92,5,6. USGS listed the reviewed magnitude as 6.9 mww, with three felt reports and little or no estimated landslide or liquefaction area1.
Reuters carried an early 7.2 attributed to USGS; AP used a preliminary 6.93,4. Damage, injuries and whether waves reached shore were not established in the official USGS product or the news accounts reviewed1,5,6.
Sources
- U.S. Geological SurveyM 6.9 earthquake 197 km WNW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu
- NZ HeraldVanuatu earthquake: 7.2-magnitude quake struck at a depth of 10km
- ReutersMagnitude 7.2 earthquake strikes waters near Vanuatu, USGS says
- APA preliminary magnitude 6.9 earthquake hits off the coast of Vanuatu
- RNZMagnitude 7.2 quake off Vanuatu triggers tsunami warning
- ABC News AustraliaTwo large earthquakes off coast of Vanuatu prompt tsunami warning
How it’s being reported
6 versions from 5 sources
Show all
M 6.9 earthquake 197 km WNW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu
Official magnitude, location, depth and tsunami flag
USGS listed a reviewed magnitude 6.9 quake 197 km WNW of Port-Olry at 10 km depth, with a tsunami flag and three felt reports.
Leaves out Whether a warning was later cancelled
Vanuatu earthquake: 7.2-magnitude quake struck at a depth of 10km
Initial 7.2 magnitude and tsunami threat
Reported a 7.2-magnitude quake near Vanuatu and a Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre threat for coasts within 300 km.
Leaves out USGS later 6.9 revision in the portion available
Magnitude 7.2 earthquake strikes waters near Vanuatu, USGS says
Leads with what someone said.
A preliminary magnitude 6.9 earthquake hits off the coast of Vanuatu
Leads with a figure in the headline.
Magnitude 7.2 quake off Vanuatu triggers tsunami warning
Tsunami warning and magnitude revision
Said PTWC warned of possible hazardous waves within 300 km after a shallow quake, and that USGS later revised the magnitude to 6.9 and listed a 6.3 nearby.
Leaves out Damage or injuries on land
Two large earthquakes off coast of Vanuatu prompt tsunami warning
Two quakes and Australia not under threat
Reported a 6.9 then a 6.3 off Vanuatu, a PTWC threat within 300 km, no Australian threat from the Bureau of Meteorology, and a PTWC initial 7.2 later cut to 6.9.
Leaves out Injuries or tsunami wave heights