Strong earthquake rattles Vanuatu; no tsunami threat

SYDNEY – A strong earthquake rattled the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu on Wednesday, but there was no tsunami threat and no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The magnitude-6.9 quake struck 100 kilometres (60 miles) west of the village of Sola, and 460 kilometres (290 miles) northwest of Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake struck at a depth of 33 kilometres (20 miles).

Shadrack Welegtabit, director of Vanuatu’s National Disaster Management Office, said officials had not received any reports of damage or injuries, and the temblor was not felt in the capital.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no threat of a tsunami.

This is the second strong quake to rattle Vanuatu this week. A quake of the same magnitude hit on Sunday, with no damage reported.

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.