M5.7 earthquake · 271 km WSW of Tual, Indonesia

■ Steady

Series of M5+ quakes hits Vanuatu, Reykjanes Ridge, Indonesia and Japan

On Wednesday the strongest recent quake was an M6.0 about 214 km NW of Port-Olry, Vanuatu, one of several M5.2 to M5.6 shocks in that area. Four quakes of M5.0 to M5.5 struck the Reykjanes Ridge, and an M5.7 hit 276 km WSW of Tual, Indonesia. An M5.5 struck near Asahi, Japan. Over the 72-hour period, the Vanuatu area has recorded the most quakes, including an M5.8 on Tuesday.

• Vanuatu: M6.0 and M5.6 on Wednesday, plus M5.5 and M5.2 nearby, all at about 10 km depth; USGS PAGER alert level green for the M6.0.
• Reykjanes Ridge: M5.5, two M5.0 and an M5.2 on Wednesday, all at 10 km depth.
• Japan: M5.5 at 41 km depth near Asahi on Wednesday, with 45 felt reports.
• Other M5+ quakes were recorded in the Philippines, Russia, Guam, China, Panama, Fiji and Tonga.