Magnitude 7.3 Earthquake Strikes Vanuatu

A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.3 struck the Vanuatu Islands early on Tuesday morning, as reported by the National Centre of Seismology (NCS). The tremor occurred at 7:17 AM Indian Standard Time (IST), with the earthquake’s epicenter located at Latitude 17.68 S and Longitude 168.03 E, at a depth of 10 kilometers.

The earthquake’s details were shared on social media by the NCS, which stated, “EQ of M: 7.3, On: 17/12/2024 07:17:21 IST, Lat: 17.68 S, Long: 168.03 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Vanuatu Islands.”

Vanuatu, situated in the Pacific Ring of Fire, is prone to seismic activity due to its location near tectonic plate boundaries. The islands are largely volcanic in origin and are more elevated than most other Pacific Island nations. According to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Vanuatu’s vulnerability is heightened by its susceptibility to climate change, natural disasters, and global shocks. The country has limited capacity for recovery, making it extremely vulnerable.

Since the launch of the UN’s World Risk Index in 2011, Vanuatu has consistently ranked as the most at-risk country in the world, underscoring the ongoing threat posed by natural disasters.