The tsunami alert near Vanuatu ... later cancelled. Image: Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre

Pacific.Scoop
By Pacific Media Centre newsdesk

A second Pacific tsunami warning in a week – this time after two earthquakes in the space of an hour off the north-western coast of Vanuatu – has been cancelled after reports of only a “tiny” wave.

An alert had been issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre for 11 nations in the south-west Pacific after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake off Vanuatu.

The epicentre was 295km north-northwest of Vanuatu’s largest island, Santo, at a depth of 35km, the US Geological Survey said.

More than 180 people died last week when a tsunami triggered by an earthquake hit Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga.

All three nations were included in a “tsunami watch” – a lower level of alert than a tsunami warning.

Earlier on Wednesday, a 6.7-magnitude quake struck off the Philippines, but no tsunami warning was issued.

Shortly after the earthquake off Vanuatu struck at 2203 GMT, the Pacific warning centre issued an alert for the Marshall Islands, Tokelau, Kermadec Is, Pohnpei, New Zealand, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Australia, Niue, Cook Islands, Chuuk, Indonesia, Wake Is, Jarvis Is, Palmyra Is, Guam, Northern Marianas, Johnston Is, Yap, Marcus Is and Belau.

It said: “This bulletin is issued as advice to government agencies. Only national and local government agencies have the authority to make decisions regarding the official state of alert in their area and any actions to be taken in response.”

The first quake was followed about an hour later by one of 7.1 magnitude, the US Geological Survey said.

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PACIFIC TSUNAMI IN ACTION

This video animation from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) shows what last week’s deadly waves did after the earthquake off Samoa. The quake and tsunami on September 29 caused more than 180 deaths in American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga. – NOAA/ PMEL/Center for Tsunami Research