vanuatuA powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck the Pacific island of Vanuatu on Sunday, the US Geological Survey says, and a tsunami warning has been issued for potentially dangerous waves in nearby waters. The agency said the quake was centered 23 kilometers (15 miles) off Port Olary and at a depth of 27 kilometers (17 miles).
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning for coasts located within 300 kilometers (186 mi) of the epicenter. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
Vanuatu is home to about 280,000 people and is prone to natural disasters with half a dozen active volcanoes as well as regular cyclones and earthquakes. It sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean where earthquakes and volcanoes are common.