Strong earthquake rattles Vanuatu; no threat of tsunami

It was the fourth strong earthquake to strike Vanuatu this month, although none have caused problems.

A strong magnitude-7 earthquake rattled the Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu on Friday but authorities said there was no tsunami threat and no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the quake hit near Malekula Island. It was centred about 200 kilometres northwest of the capital Port Vila at a depth of 35 kilometres, according to the USGS.

A police spokesman said they hadn’t received any reports of damage or injuries. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said there was no threat of a destructive, Pacific-wide tsumani.

It was the fourth strong earthquake to strike Vanuatu this month, although none have caused problems.

Vanuatu sits on the Ring of Fire, the arc of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean where earthquakes are common. The nation is also prone to volcanoes and cyclones.