Magnitude 7.5 - VANUATU 2010 August 10

Earthquake Details

This event has been reviewed by a seismologist.
Magnitude
7.5
Date-Time
Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 05:23:46 UTC
Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 04:23:46 PM at epicenter
Location
17.590°S, 167.978°E
Depth
35 km (21.7 miles) set by location program
Region
VANUATU
Distances
38 km (24 miles) WNW (297°) from PORT-VILA, Vanuatu
246 km (153 miles) SSE (159°) from Santo (Luganville), Vanuatu
255 km (159 miles) NNW (328°) from Isangel, Vanuatu
1889 km (1174 miles) ENE (57°) from Brisbane, Australia
Location Uncertainty
horizontal +/- 6.1 km (3.8 miles); depth fixed by location program
Parameters
NST=231, Nph=237, Dmin=>999 km, Rmss=1.42 sec, Gp= 29°,
M-type=teleseismic moment magnitude (Mw), Version=6
Source
U.S. Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center:
World Data Center for Seismology, Denver
Event ID
us2010zuaq


There are no reports of tsunami threat.

reply to post by berkeleygal


Just beat me to it....No widespread tsunami expected, possibly local ones though from the prelim data.

This isn't a big deal for them. Last year they had 2 quakes over 7.0 and a 6.8. It's an extremely active region.

Volcanoes/Earthquakes: Vanuatu is situated in an active seismic zone and is prone to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, which sometimes may be followed by tsunamis. The risk level of Vanuatu’s many active volcanoes can change on a daily basis. In January 2010, Vanuatu authorities increased the alert level for the volcano Mount Yasur on the island of Tanna, to “very high level of activity." Authorities advise tourists not to visit the area. Travelers to volcanic areas should contact the Department of Geology and Mines at 22423 to obtain information about the activity of a volcano, and should also contact the Vanuatu Tourism Office prior to traveling to areas where volcanic activity may occur. Detailed information about earthquakes is available from the National Earthquake Information Center of the United States Geological Survey at earthquake.usgs.gov... If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.

travel.state.gov...

reply to post by whoshotJR

I think a 7.5 would rattle anyone's cage. That's not really something you'd get used to.

reply to post by Phage


It would definitely shake you but the 7.7, 7.4 and 6.8 they had in October 2009 probably warmed them up pretty good.

08

6.9
6.4

07

7.2
7.1

earthquake.usgs.gov...

These guys are the pro's at dealing with earthquakes if there was such a qualification imo.

aftershock


Magnitude
5.3
Date-Time
Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 06:14:37 UTC
Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 05:14:37 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
17.445°S, 167.697°E
Depth
36.8 km (22.9 miles)
Region
VANUATU
Distances
75 km (45 miles) WNW of PORT-VILA, Efate, Vanuatu
220 km (135 miles) SSE of Luganville, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
285 km (175 miles) NW of Isangel, Tanna, Vanuatu
1875 km (1160 miles) ENE of BRISBANE, Queensland, Australia
Location Uncertainty
horizontal +/- 14.6 km (9.1 miles); depth +/- 29.1 km (18.1 miles)
Parameters
NST= 31, Nph= 31, Dmin=>999 km, Rmss=1.27 sec, Gp= 68°,
M-type=body wave magnitude (Mb), Version=6
Source
USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
Event ID
us2010zuay

reply to post by berkeleygal


That's interesting how much different the aftershocks depth is then the main shock. I have never really looked at depth differences before from aftershocks, I wonder what the normal occurrence is in depth change.

reply to post by whoshotJR


I really couldn't tell you.

But look at the depths on this page (Alaska)

scroll down to bottom
6.4 depth 27
1st aftershock 3.2 depth 35.5

and all subsequent depths are all different.

earthquake.usgs.gov...

Here in NZ we were issued with a tsunami warning.. but the 23cm came to nothing


www.stuff.co.nz...

[edit on 10-8-2010 by MoorfNZ]

cleared,,,,it was an CME hit...

www.spaceweather.com...

Hers some news from OZ..Nothing major...
news.ninemsn.com.au...

So.. one more 7.0+ and we'll have equaled the number for the whole of 2009?

reply to post by MoorfNZ


seems so... considering the incease of solar activity...much moore is awaiting for us coming years... skip the 7's look at the 8+ es

Had Earth Quake written on my desk calender for tues August 10. Forgot to write who made the prediction..lol Dang it. I think it was Dr Turi or a guy I heard on the radio that wrote a book about the full moons and tides and other solar events leading to quakes.

[edit on 10-8-2010 by fromtheheart66]

The aftershocks continue - another 5.8 has just struck. I bet the islanders' nerves are shot to bits - they are used to quakes over there but on the news this morning (here in New Zealand) they had island folks saying it really shook them up and lasted longer than their usual quakes,.

Hmmm - look at the depth of the most recent 5.8 in Vanuatu.

It's gone from an average depth of around 35km to a rather deep 200+km

Magnitude 5.8
Date-Time

* Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 23:18:33 UTC
* Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at 10:18:33 AM at epicenter
* Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones

Location 14.481°S, 167.195°E
Depth 202.2 km (125.6 miles)
Region VANUATU
Distances 115 km (70 miles) N of Luganville, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
380 km (235 miles) NNW of PORT-VILA, Efate, Vanuatu
440 km (275 miles) SSE of Lata, Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Isl.
2055 km (1280 miles) NE of BRISBANE, Queensland, Australia

reply to post by MoorfNZ


I noticed that as well.

Look on this list, the 5.0 before the 7.3 was also deep.

Maybe building towards another 7+

earthquake.usgs.gov...

Magnitude 6.0

Date-Time

* Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at 03:35:20 UTC
* Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at 02:35:20 PM at epicenter
* Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones

Location 17.382°S, 167.729°E
Depth 41 km (25.5 miles)
Region VANUATU
Distances 75 km (45 miles) WNW of PORT-VILA, Efate, Vanuatu
215 km (130 miles) SSE of Luganville, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
290 km (180 miles) NW of Isangel, Tanna, Vanuatu
1875 km (1170 miles) ENE of BRISBANE, Queensland, Australia