The map shows the warning levels automatically generated by the analysis software. In this case, the earthquake parameters (magnitude and depth) locally generated a highest alert level Watch (red) and Advisory (orange) at the forecast points furthest from the epicentre (forecast points are conventional coastal measurement points used by the software to estimate the alert level) according to the decision matrix currently used for the Euro-Mediterranean area (NEAMTWS).
An earthquake of magnitude 7.3 occurred on the night of 16-17 December 2024 in the Vanuatu island archipelago in the Western Pacific Ocean. The earthquake occurred at 12:47 local time (02:47 in Italy). The epicentre was located at sea, about 30 km west of the island of Efate, where the capital Port Vila, populated by about 50,000 inhabitants, is located.
At the moment, there are at least 14 victims and hundreds of injured, due to the collapse of some buildings.
Although the area is highly seismic, events of this magnitude are relatively rare. For more information on the earthquake, we have published a report on INGVTerremoti Blog (in ITA).
Following the earthquake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) issued a tsunami warning just five minutes after the event. Tide gauge measurements in the southwest Pacific confirmed the generation of a moderate amplitude tsunami (about 60 cm peak-to-peak), resulting in the closing of the warning about one and a half hours after the earthquake.INGV's Tsunami Warning Centre (CAT) monitored the event in real time, testing its operational procedures and analysing data from sea level measuring instruments.
Among them, the Port Vila tsunami tide gauge clearly recorded the tsunami wave. The analysis was supported by the Early-East software, which was used for rapid localisation and estimation of the magnitude of the event.The event underlines the importance of integrated monitoring between local and international systems for the timely management of tsunami risk.