Environment

Santa Cruz Islands, Vanuatu Islands, Celebes Sea: Earthquake Maps

by Amy Judd | October 7, 2009 at 04:46 pm

908 views | 12 Recommendations | 2 comments

An earthquake, although many news outlets are saying two, measuring 7.8 hit near the Santa Cruz Islands, the Vanuatu Islands and in the Celebes Sea today October 7th, prompting tsunami warnings, and evacuation alerts.

Santa Cruz Islands Map

Vanuatu Islands Earthquake Location Map

Celebes Sea Earthquake Location Map

A 6.8 magnitude struck the Celebes Sea region in western Pacific Ocean next to Sulu archipelago of the Philippines at 5:41 am local time. The earthquake had a very "deep" epicenter (595 km below the surface), which did not trigger tsunami alerts initially. However, another powerful earthquake struck next to the Vanuatu Islands in the South Pacific. This quake was not deep at 33 km. The magnitude was assessed as 8.0.

The Associated Press is reporting that there were two earthquakes near the Vanuatu archipelago, one with a magnitude of 7.8 near the Vanuatu island of Santo and one with a magnitude of 7.3 farther north of Santo and Port Vila.

There are no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

For full coverage please see our Earthquake story.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend Add a comment

A. raynor (not verified)

at 19:09 on October 7th, 2009

Can anyone tell me if PNG and islands have experienced bad quakes and if so are there tsunami warnings? I am seeking news of New Ireland. Have heard from friends in New Cal who are experiencing very bad weather but no quake or wave.

Amy Judd

at 19:27 on October 7th, 2009

As far as we know, PNG and their islands may have felt the quakes and were initally part of the tsunami warnings, but those have now been canceled and they are no longer under alert. There may be some damage but no word on any major damage as of yet.