7.5 magnitude earthquake hits coasts of Vanuatu, New Caledonia

A 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the coasts of Vanuatu and New Caledonia on Thursday, reported AFP quoting the US Geological Survey (USGS). The USGS has issued a tsunami warning for surrounding nations.

According to the report, the earthquake struck at just after midnight on Thursday local time (1320 GMT) about 415 kilometres east of Vao in New Caledonia at a depth of 10 kilometres, according to USGS.

“Hazardous tsunami waves from this earthquake are possible within the next three hours,” the NWS Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

The Centre has warned Fiji, New Zealand and Vanuatu of waves reaching between 0.3 and one metre above the tide level and smaller waves were forecast for other nations in the region including Australia, the Cook Islands and American Samoa.

According to the report, no casualty or damage has been reported so far.

The Pacific “Ring of Fire”, where tectonic plates collide, experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity.