A magnitude 6.3 earthquake rattled the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu in the early hours of Wednesday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The seismic event occurred off the coast, approximately 44 kilometers southwest of the capital Port Vila, with a depth of 37 kilometers (23 miles).
The USGS initially reported the earthquake as magnitude 6.5 before revising it to 6.3. Despite the significant magnitude, no tsunami warning was issued by the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center.
The seismic activity, which struck at 1:33 am local time (1433 GMT), prompted heightened awareness in the region. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties resulting from the earthquake.
Vanuatu, situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, is prone to seismic activity due to tectonic plate movements in the region. While earthquakes are not uncommon, the absence of a tsunami threat has alleviated concerns for coastal areas along the west coast of the United States and Canada, including California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska, as confirmed by the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center.