Strong earthquakes off Vanuatu trigger tsunami warning, no threat to Australia

Two large earthquakes struck off the coast of Vanuatu, prompting a tsunami warning for the area, but the Bureau of Meteorology said there was no threat to Australia, ABC News reported.

The larger quake had a magnitude of 6.9, according to the US Geological Survey. ABC News reported it hit about 200 kilometres west of Sola at 12:31pm AEST on Saturday. A second quake followed five minutes later.

The Hindu gave a different location and day. Citing the USGS, it said the quake was centred 197 kilometres west-northwest of Port-Orly at a depth of 10 kilometres, and that it struck at around 1:30pm on Friday, October 23. The Hindu did not say which time zone it was using.

The size of the main quake was revised after the first readings. ABC News reported that the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre initially listed it at magnitude 7.2, before the USGS downgraded it to 6.9.

The warning centre said hazardous tsunami waves were possible for coastlines within 300 kilometres of the epicentre. Its initial threat forecast identified Vanuatu as the area that could be affected, according to ABC News.

"Persons located in threatened coastal areas should stay alert for information and follow instructions from national and local authorities," the warning centre said.

Several aftershocks were later recorded in the area, The Hindu reported, including one with a preliminary magnitude of 6.3, according to the USGS.

Neither outlet reported any damage or injuries. The Hindu reported that the tsunami warning for the area was later rescinded. ABC News did not report on the warning being lifted.

Sources: ABC News, Two large earthquakes off coast of Vanuatu prompt tsunami warning; The Hindu, Preliminary magnitude 6.9 earthquake hits off coast of Vanuatu.