M4.9 Earthquake Strikes Near Port-Olry, Vanuatu

Port-Olry, Vanuatu — A magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck off the northern coast of Vanuatu early Tuesday morning, shaking the waters near Port-Olry. It is the second magnitude 4.9 quake to hit this stretch of the Pacific in the last few hours.

What happened: The quake hit at 6:40 AM Central Time (11:40 UTC), centered about 115 miles northwest of Port-Olry in the Pacific Ocean, at a shallow depth of roughly 6 miles. The U.S. Geological Survey reports the quake was reviewed by seismologists.

Impacts: No tsunami warning has been issued with this quake. As of this morning, the USGS has not received felt reports from the region, and there is no word of damage. Because the epicenter sits far offshore, away from towns, shaking on land was likely light at most. Quakes of this size can be felt up to dozens of miles away.

What to do:

- If you felt shaking, remember: drop, cover, and hold on under sturdy furniture.

- After shaking stops, check your surroundings for hazards like broken glass or fallen objects.

- Stay alert for aftershocks, which commonly follow a quake of this size — keep clear of anything that could topple.

- If you are near the coast and felt strong or long shaking, move to higher ground and watch for official updates.

This morning's quake follows a separate magnitude 4.9 earthquake that struck the same area around 3:40 AM Central Time. The two events appear to be distinct earthquakes.

*Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Oct. 20, 2026.*