7.3 earthquake hits in Pacific Ocean near Vanuatu

[Harry Hope]

Source: Associated Press


7.3 earthquake hits in Pacific Ocean near Vanuatu

December 25, 2010

SYDNEY—A powerful earthquake struck under the sea near Vanuatu early Sunday, generating a small tsunami in the South Pacific. No damage or injuries were immediately reported.

The 7.3 magnitude quake struck Sunday just after midnight about 140 miles (225 kilometers) south of Vanuatu's capital, Port Vila. The U.S. Geological Survey said it was about 15 miles (24 kilometers) below the ocean floor.

A tsunami wave measuring about 6 inches (15 centimeters) was recorded on some coastlines at Vanuatu, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said. New Caledonia and Fiji also were warned a tsunami was possible on their coasts, but the warning was canceled about an hour and a half after the temblor.

Vanuatu is part of the Pacific "ring of fire" -- an arc of earthquake and volcanic zones stretching from Chile in South America through Alaska and down through the South Pacific.



Read more: http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2010/12/25/76_earthquake_hits_in_pacific_ocean_near_vanuatu/?rss_id=Boston.com+%2F+Boston+Globe+--+World+News

[Name removed]

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[geckosfeet]

2. Click on the 'Smilies lookup table' link to the right of Message options.

Scroll down about three quarters of the way and click on the sarcasm smiley to select it.

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[warrior1]

5. I missed why

this poster was 86'd. What did they say?

[geckosfeet]

8. some end of days gibberish - very bizarre - I assumed sarcasm

[charlyvi]

3. Merry Christmas. n/t

:eyes:

[Tsiyu]

4. People in Vanuatu have been called the happiest people on earth

hope they are okay.

[trud]

6. I'm glad everyone is okay, but

6 inches? That's the best a 7.3 could do?

[localroger]

9. Depends on the mode as well as strength

If the sea floor slides horizontally, it doesn't move much water. If it moves vertically even a little a huge amount of water is displaced.

[Honeycombe8]

7. Vanuatu? Lately I keep hearing about places I've never heard of before.

I swear I've never even heard the name Vanuatu before. I guess the world really IS getting smaller.

[trud]

10. Some Survivor year was there, I think. n/t

[Honeycombe8]

11. Really? I've never seen that show. nt