A powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu on Saturday also triggering a temporary tsunami threat for nearby coastal areas according to geological monitors.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the shallow quake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers also located roughly 200 kilometers northwest of Port Olry and west of Sola. USGS later revised the earthquake's primary magnitude down to 6.9 and recorded a secondary 6.3 magnitude tremor nearby.
Following the initial tremor the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued a bulletin warning that hazardous tsunami waves were possible for coastlines within 300 kilometers of the epicenter.
Authorities have reported no immediate casualties or structural damage.
Vanuatu, a low-lying Pacific archipelago is highly prone to frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its location along the Pacific "Ring of Fire" a major tectonic arc extending across Southeast Asia and the Pacific basin.
