By Julian Osamoto
Report from the United States Geological Survey USGS reveals that a shallow 6.3-magnitude earthquake has struck the Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu on Thursday.
The USGS said the earthquake’s epicentre was about 110 kilometres east of Luganville, the country’s second-largest city.
According to report, the agency assessed the risk of landslides and the number of people exposed to the tremor as low.
There were no immediate reports of damage, while Vanuatu’s natural hazards department had not issued a tsunami warning at the time of reporting.
Vanuatu is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone of intense seismic activity that stretches across the Pacific basin and parts of Southeast Asia.
The latest earthquake is the second significant tremor to hit the country in recent months.
In August, a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck off Vanuatu’s coast, with its epicentre about 56 kilometres northeast of Port Olry, at a depth of 188 kilometres, according to the USGS.
Earthquakes are relatively common in Vanuatu because of its location along active tectonic boundaries.
Authorities were expected to continue monitoring the situation for possible aftershocks and other impacts following Thursday’s tremor.
