A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck the Pacific Ocean.

SGGPO 20/05/2023 12:25

On the morning of May 20th, a powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake shook the southeastern region of the Loyalty Islands, part of New Caledonia – a French overseas territory in the Pacific Ocean .

The 7.1 magnitude earthquake that shook the southeastern part of the Loyalty Islands is located in this area. (Photo: 7News)

Reuters, citing information from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), reported that the earthquake occurred at 1:51 AM on May 20 (GMT, which is 8:51 AM the same day in Vietnam).

The earthquake had a depth of 44.7 km, with its initial epicenter determined at coordinates 23.105 degrees South latitude and 170.402 degrees East longitude. The USGS also reported several aftershocks around the area following the earthquake.

Following the earthquake, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology stated that there was no tsunami threat to mainland Australia, its islands, and territories. Meanwhile, CRISIS24 reported that aftershocks could occur in the coming hours and days.

Earlier, on May 19th, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake also occurred off the coast of the Loyalty Islands.

Following this earthquake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued tsunami warnings for areas in New Caledonia, Fiji, and Vanuatu, and assessed that tsunamis could strike coastal areas within 1,000 km of the earthquake's epicenter.

However, these warnings were lifted on the evening of May 19th, after experts determined that the risk of a tsunami had virtually disappeared. No casualties have been reported following the two earthquakes.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/dong-dat-manh-71-do-richter-o-thai-binh-duong-post690468.html