Magnitude-7.2 quake hits Pacific but no tsunami threat

The quake was 10km deep and was recorded as being magnitude 7.6.

A major natural disaster with a magnitude of 7.2 struck about 535 km southeast of the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu on Friday, the US Geological Survey said, briefly triggering a local tsunami warning.

The quake struck about 535 kilometres south-east of Vanuatu at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.

There were no reports of casualties or damage.

A powerful natural disaster has struck in the Pacific ocean off the coast of Vanuatu.

The quake was originally measured at 7.6, but was quickly downgraded.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no current warning or advisory in the region.

Later the PTWC issued tsunami warnings for New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Fiji following the quake centred near the Loyalty Islands.