Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu — A magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck the ocean off northern Vanuatu this evening, the latest in a busy day of seismic activity across the South Pacific.

What happened: The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake hit at 7:27 PM Central Time, about 195 kilometers northwest of Port-Olry on the island of Espiritu Santo. The tremor originated roughly 10 kilometers below the seafloor — shallow enough to be felt on nearby land, but USGS has received no felt reports so far. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued no tsunami threat; USGS flags the quake as no tsunami risk.

Impacts: With a magnitude of 4.5 and an epicenter well offshore, this quake is not expected to cause damage. It is one of several earthquakes to rattle the Vanuatu region today, including a magnitude 5.1 earlier near the same area. Vanuatu sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where strong undersea quakes are a regular part of life.

What to do: If you feel shaking, drop to the ground, take cover under sturdy furniture, and hold on until it stops. After the shaking ends, check for gas leaks, broken glass, and unstable walls. Aftershocks are common in the hours after a quake — stay alert and be ready to take cover again.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), October 23, 2026.