No Tsunami Threat to Guam and Northern Mariana Islands After Deep Magnitude 6.8 Earthquake

Overview of the Earthquake

On April 5th, 2024, at 9:03 pm local time, a strong magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck at an intermediate to considerable depth of 222 km beneath the surface near Agrihan Village, Agrihan Island, Northern Islands, Northern Mariana Islands. The quake’s considerable depth likely mitigated its strength on the surface, resulting in minimal reported damages.

Immediate Response and Impact

The National Weather Service Pacific Tsunami Warning Center quickly assessed the situation and confirmed that there was no tsunami threat to Guam, Rota, Tinian, or Saipan. Residents in the vicinity of the epicenter, including those in Agrihan Village, Pagan Village, and Patik Camp, experienced light shaking but no significant damage was reported beyond minor disruptions such as objects falling from shelves.

Seismic Data and Updates

Initial reports from VolcanoDiscovery and subsequent updates from the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) and the USGS refined the earthquake’s magnitude from 6.7 to 6.8 and its depth from 212.0 km to a more accurate 222.0 km. The epicenter’s location was also corrected several times as more data became available.

Community Engagement and Reporting

Residents in the affected area were encouraged to share their experiences through reporting mechanisms provided by VolcanoDiscovery and the Volcanoes & Earthquakes mobile app. These firsthand accounts are invaluable for providing more detailed updates and insights into the earthquake’s impact.

Looking Ahead

With the immediate tsunami threat ruled out and the quake occurring relatively deep, the focus shifts to monitoring any potential aftershocks and assessing the quake’s long-term implications. The community’s preparedness and response mechanisms played a crucial role in managing the situation, raising questions about how future seismic events of similar or greater magnitude could be handled.