Port-Olry, Vanuatu — A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck in the Coral Sea off northern Vanuatu on Wednesday afternoon, centered about 198 kilometers west-northwest of Port-Olry at 1:41 PM Central Time.

What happened: The USGS measured the quake at magnitude 5.0 with a depth of 10 kilometers — shallow enough to be felt on nearby shores. No tsunami threat was issued, and USGS has issued no shaking or loss alerts.

Impacts: No felt reports or damage reports have been filed with USGS. The epicenter lies well offshore in the waters west of Espiritu Santo, far from the island's towns — the nearest community, Port-Olry, is nearly 200 kilometers to the east-southeast.

What to do: Drop, cover, and hold on if you feel shaking. After the shaking stops, check for hazards — gas leaks, cracked walls, loose objects. Stay alert for aftershocks in the hours ahead. If you felt it, file a report on the USGS "Did You Feel It?" page to help map the shaking.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), October 21, 2026.