New Caledonia struck by 7.0 magnitude earthquake

A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the waters northeast of the Loyalty Islands in New Caledonia on Friday, September 25, 2026. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the tremor occurred at approximately 21:23 UTC at a depth of 17.1 kilometers.

The epicenter was located roughly 68 kilometers northeast of Tadine on the island of Maré. Nearly simultaneously, a second strong tremor measuring 6.6 magnitude was recorded about 80 kilometers northeast of Tadine. It remains unclear if these were two distinct events or part of a single seismic sequence.

As of the latest reports, there are no confirmed reports of injuries or significant damage on Maré or neighboring islands. Authorities have not yet issued official warnings regarding potential tsunami threats. The region is geologically active due to tectonic plate movements, making strong earthquakes a known phenomenon in the area.