Widespread damage, casualties reported after major M7.3 earthquake hits Port-Vila, Vanuatu
A very strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.3 hit Vanuatu at 01:47 UTC (12:47 LT) on December 17, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 57.1 km (35.5 miles). EMSC is reporting M7.4 at a depth of 28 km (17 miles).
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located about 30 km (19 miles) W of Port-Vila (population 35 901), and 188 km (117 miles) SSE of Lakatoro (population 705), Vanuatu.
65 000 people are estimated to have felt severe shaking, 27 000 very strong, 25 000 strong and 68 000 moderate.
Based on all available data, hazardous tsunami waves are forecast for some coasts, NWS PTWC reported at 02:21 UTC, forecasting possible waves 0.3 to 1 m (1 – 3 feet) above the tide level for some coasts of Vanuatu.
The tsunami threat has passed by 03:14 UTC. Residents were urged to remain observant and exercise normal caution near the sea.
The quake was followed by numerous moderate to strong aftershocks.
The USGS issued a Yellow alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. Some casualties and damage are possible and the impact should be relatively localized. Past yellow alerts have required a local or regional-level response.
Estimated economic losses are 1-9% GDP of Vanuatu.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are highly vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though some resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are unknown/miscellaneous types and wood construction.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as tsunamis and landslides that might have contributed to losses.
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
Locals reported the shaking lasted for about 30 seconds.
Many buildings were damaged or destroyed, including the ones in the center of Port Vila — Vanuatu’s capital.
At least one person was confirmed dead, but there are fears the number could rise as rescuers continue digging through rubble.
A complex in the capital Port Vila, which hosts diplomatic missions of Western nations, including the United States, was also damaged, with one section of the ground floor partially collapsed and windows shattered.
Dan McGarry, a local journalist, described it as a violent earthquake… more violent than any that he’s seen in the last 21 years living in Vanuatu.
McGarry said a mass casualty triage center was established outside of Port Vila Central Hospital.
Major landslides were reported near the capital.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M7.3 earthquake Vanuatu – USGS – December 17, 2024
2 M7.4 earthquake Vanuatu – EMSC – December 17, 2024
3 Magnitude 7.4 earthquake hits Vanuatu, one reported dead – Reuters – December 17, 2024
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“Thus says The Lord God: The earth is filled with violence, the whole world is corrupt! Madness has overcome the people, transgression is uplifted, and abominations of every kind are widely accepted; great wickedness proliferates throughout every tribe, tongue, people and nation unimpeded! Thus the earth is forsaken for a time, wherein I have turned to it My back. And so shall it remain, until the Great Day comes when I shall move swiftly against it…
And until this time and after, the earth shall tremble and shake, and bring forth calamity upon calamity, and famine and pestilence of every kind. For all this is but the beginning of sorrows, the first contractions of an expectant mother suffering to bring forth… Says The Lord.”
(From The Volumes of Truth, Volume Seven, excerpts from “The World Shall Be Shaken”)