August 11, 1965 Earthquake: Vanuatu Islands

Reference #414:

1965, August 12. There was a series of shocks on the New Hebrides Islands. The shocks included the following strong earthquakes (according to Rothe):

No. 1 11.VIII, 3h40m56s; 15.4 S., 166.9 E.; 26 km; M=7.

No. 2 11.VIII, 19h52m29S; 15.7 S., 167.1 E.; 33 km; M=6.5.

No, 3 11.VIII, 22h31m49s; 15.8 S., 167.2 E.; 33 km; M=7.25.

In all, 62 earthquakes were registered between August 12 and 13. The shocks continued until September.

Two of the strongest earthquakes (No. 1 and 3) caused collapses, landslides and cracking of the ground on the islands of Malekula and Espiritu Santo and caused material damage there. A moorage was destroyed at Port Sandwich and an embankment was destroyed at Luganville. In many places, for example at Luganville, Norsup, Sarmetta, Lakatoro and Lamap, buildings were heavily damaged, water conduits were broken and telephone lines were cut. The earthquakes were also felt at Port Vila with a force of 3 and 4 degrees.

During the main earthquake (August 12) the north-western part of Malekula island rose 1/2-1 m. According to Rothe (1966), a tsunami arose with a height of 7 m in some bays.

[11.VIII; 22h31m46s; 15.8 S., 167.2 E.; 13 km; M=7.2]

Reference #45:

1965, August 11, 22:31:45.9 UTC. 15.8 S, 167.2 E, magnitude 7.3, depth 13 km. Some property damage was reported on Espiritu Santo and a tsunami was observed at Vila and Tonga (4- and 8-foot waves, respectively).

Reference #1229:

1965, August 11, 22:31:48.9 UTC. 15.8 S, 167.2 E, depth 33 km, magnitude 6.9 mb, 7.4 MS. New Hebrides Islands.

Reference #3459:

1965, August 11. The earthquakes of 1965 August lld 03h40m56s, lld 22h31m54s, and 12d 08hOlm43s V.T. were responsible for the most serious damage.

Collapse of the wharf at Port-Sandwich and of the Quai Gubbay at Luganville.

Serious damage to buildings in many places, for example, at Luganville, Norsup, Sarmette, Lakatoro, and Lamap.

Breakage of water supplies and telephone lines.

There was no tsunami associated with two of the main shocks, although their epicentres were at sea; but the small aftershock of August 13 produced a tsunami 2 metres high.

Reference #9910:

1965, Augsut 11, 22:31:52.22 UTC, 15.797 S, 167.268 E, 45.8 km depth, 7.6 Mw P&S, 7.3 Ms ABE1, 7.3 Ms P&S, 7.1 mB ABE1, 7.4 UK B&D, 6.3 mb ISC.