MikeLigalig.com

An earthquake of magnitude 7.2 has struck off the nation of Vanuatu in the South Pacific.

A tsunami warning was issued to the Solomon islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia, but has now been lifted.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said the quake - which was initially reported of 7.4 magnitude - did not pose a threat.

Vanuatu lies on the Ring Of Fire, a zone of volcanic arcs and oceanic trenches encircling the Pacific basin.

The earthquake struck 300 miles (485 km) northwest of Port Vila on Vanuatu at 1714 GMT at a depth of 22 miles.

"Sea level readings do not show any tsunami signals," the tsunami centre told AFP.

"If a tsunami was generated it does not pose a threat to any areas outside the epicentral region. The tsunami warning is now cancelled for all areas covered by this centre." - BBc