February 19, 2015 Earthquake: Vanuatu Islands

On February 19, 2015 at 13:18 Universal time (February 19, 2015 at 00:18 local time), a powerful earthquake occurred offshore Northeast Paama and off north of Lopevi. The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department reported a magnitude of Ms 6.0 for the event and at a shallow depth of 10.0 km. No tsunami advisory or warning was issued for this event since the earthquake magnitude is below the threshold of magnitude 7.5 as per the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Forecast Section Standard Operating Procedures. Thus, no warning was issued for this event. It is the third known back-arc event that has generated a local tsunami; others being the 1999 Baie Martelli event and the 2012 Southeast Erromango event.

The seismic effects include landslide/rockfall/deep cracks on road/gardens uphill, few rainwater catchment wells cracked, few houses sustain structural damage and children vomited. (reference #12086)