Magnitude-7.2 earthquake hits Pacific but no tsunami threat
WELLINGTON, New Zealand – A strong magnitude-7.2 earthquake struck Friday in the Pacific Ocean near the island nations of Vanuatu and New Caledonia, but authorities said there was no threat of a tsunami.
The United States Geological Survey said the quake hit Friday afternoon 109 kilometres (68 miles) east of New Caledonia’s Hunter Island, at a depth of 10 kilometres (6 miles).
After reviewing the quake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said it didn’t pose a tsunami threat.
The region sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an arc of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean where earthquakes are common.
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