An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 shook the Vanuatu Islands early on Tuesday, the National Center of Seismology (NCS) reported.
The earthquake struck at 7:17 AM Indian Standard Time (IST), the NCS noted.
The earthquake was recorded at a depth of 10 kilometers at Latitude 17.68 S and Longitude 168.03 E.
Data shared on X by the National Center of Seismology.
“M EQ: 7.3, Date: 17/12/2024 07:17:21 IST, Lat: 17.68 S, Long: 168.03 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Vanuatu Islands.”
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a special agency of the United Nations, notes that the islands of Vanuatu, which are on the Pacific Ring of Fire, are prone to earthquakes.
Many of Vanuatu’s islands are of volcanic origin and are much higher than many other Pacific Island countries. Like other small island developing states, Vanuatu is highly vulnerable to climate change, natural disasters and global shocks, with limited capacity to cope or recover, notes IFAD.
Vanuatu’s vulnerability has consistently placed it as the most vulnerable country in the world under the UN’s World Risk Index since the index was launched in 2011.
