Earthquake · Vanuatu
M6.3 earthquake near Port-Olry, Vanuatu
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck 197 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu on 20 October 2026 at 04:20 UTC, at a depth of 16 km.
- Magnitude
- 6.3 mww
- When
- 20 October 2026, 04:20 UTC
- Depth
- 16 km
- Location
- 13.99° S, 165.59° E
- Strongest shaking (estimated)
- Intensity IV (light)
- Felt reports
- 1 people told USGS they felt it
- USGS PAGER alert
- Green
- Tsunami
- The USGS flagged it for possible tsunami. Check the official warning centres
- Source
- USGS event page
What it means
A magnitude 6.3 is a strong earthquake; there are about 130 a year worldwide, and they can cause damage in populated areas near the epicentre. At 16 km deep it was a shallow earthquake, which usually means stronger shaking near the epicentre.
The magnitude may be revised as more data comes in. Read Earthquake magnitude explained for what the numbers mean.
Aftershocks
87 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or more within 150 km since it struck; the largest was a magnitude 6.9.
| Mag | Where | When (UTC) |
|---|---|---|
| 6.9 | 197 km WNW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu | 24 October 2026, 02:31 |
| 6.3 | 170 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu | 24 October 2026, 02:35 |
| 6.0 | 165 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu | 1 November 2026, 11:47 |
| 6.0 | 214 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu | 28 October 2026, 02:21 |
| 5.9 | 196 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu | 24 October 2026, 08:56 |
| 5.8 | 196 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu | 27 October 2026, 08:55 |
| 5.8 | 182 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu | 24 October 2026, 05:23 |
| 5.8 | 203 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu | 24 October 2026, 04:12 |
| 5.7 | 205 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu | 24 October 2026, 04:05 |
| 5.6 | 174 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu | 28 October 2026, 02:59 |
Near the coast, strong or long shaking can be followed by a tsunami: see Tsunami warning signs.
In the news
- M6.3 earthquake, 170 km NW of Port-Olry, VanuatuUSGS · 24 October 2026
- M6.9 earthquake, 197 km WNW of Port-Olry, VanuatuUSGS · 24 October 2026
- M6.3 earthquake, 197 km NW of Port-Olry, VanuatuUSGS · 20 October 2026
Not an official warning service. In an emergency, follow your local authorities.