Today, a powerful earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale was recorded off the coast of Vanuatu, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). This seismic event comes more than a year after a devastating quake that resulted in 14 fatalities. The epicenter of today’s quake was located approximately fifty kilometers from Port-Olry, a French-speaking village on the island of Espiritu Santo.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) confirmed that there is no tsunami threat following the earthquake, which was felt shortly before 1:30 PM local time (04:30 Greek time). Local resident Angelique Franck, who works at a seaside tourist establishment, described the tremor as 'very strong' and lasting nearly a minute, though she noted that there appeared to be no damage in her vicinity.

Strong earthquakes are common in Vanuatu, an archipelago with a population of 320,000 located at sea level and part of the region known as the 'Ring of Fire'. This area is known for its high volcanic and seismic activity, making the recent quake part of a larger pattern of geological instability that poses ongoing risks to its communities.