A 7.7 magnitude earthquake in the far Pacific created small tsunami waves in Vanuatu, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said as waves less than 1.5 feet were measured off Lenakel- a port town in the island nation. Smaller waves were measured elsewhere, it added.The National Disaster Office of Vanuatu has advised people to evacuate from the coastal area to the higher grounds and has also directed them to follow the announcements given through the radio and follow the necessary precautions. New Zealands National Emergency Management Agency has also been on high alert for the strong and unusual currents. According to a security officer, the seismic activity sent off warning sirens and instructed residents to quickly abandon locations close to the islands shore.The department has also warned about the possibility of small waves for Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Guam and other Pacific Islands.According to the US Geological Survey, the epicentre of the earthquake was near the Loyalty Islands, southwest of Fiji, northern New Zealand and eastern Australia. It was situated in a region that is a portion of the “Ring of Fire,” a ring of seismic faults that surrounds the Pacific Ocean, and it was 37 kilometres (23 miles) deep. The area is where the majority of earthquakes worldwide happen.The first tsunami activity causing these strong currents and surges may reach New Zealand in the areas around North Cape at approximately 5:00pm. This may be later and the first tsunami activity may not be the most significant. More info at https://t.co/ccVFYR8001— National Emergency Management Agency (@NZcivildefence) May 19, 2023
