6.9-magnitude earthquake hits off Vanuatu, no tsunami alert

A 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu on Wednesday, the second powerful tremor in the region this week, but no Pacific tsunami warning was issued.

The quake occurred at 06:58 GMT 109 kilometres (67 miles) from Sola on the island of Vanua Lava and 442 kilometres fron the capital Port Vila, the United States Geological Survey said.

"Based on all available data a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

A 6.9-magnitude tremor off Vanuatu on Sunday caused no damage along the coast of the archipelago.

"I can't see this one being any different," Jonathan Bathgate, senior seismologist at government agency Geoscience Australia, told AFP.

Bathgate said the two quakes were in a similar location and of similar magnitude, although Geoscience Australia put the latest quake at a magnitude 7.0.

Vanuatu is part of the "Ring of Fire", a zone of tectonic activity around the Pacific that is subject to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Wednesday's quake was followed about an hour later by a 5.5 magnitude quake in the same vicinity, 101 kilometres north-northwest of the town of Port Olry on Espiritu Santo island.

Geoscience Australia said the second undersea quake was much deeper and no damage was expected on land.