Strong earthquake rattles Vanuatu

A second, magnitude 6.9 earthquake has struck off Vanuatu, but there were no casualties or tsunami threat.

A strong earthquake has rattled the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, but there was no tsunami threat and no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The magnitude-6.9 quake struck 100km west of the village of Sola, and 460km northwest of Vanuatu's capital, Port Vila, on Wednesday, according to the US Geological Survey.

The quake struck at a depth of 33km.

Shadrack Welegtabit, director of Vanuatu's National Disaster Management Office, said officials had not received any reports of damage or injuries, and the temblor was not felt in the capital.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no threat of a tsunami.

This is the second strong quake to rattle Vanuatu this week. A quake of the same magnitude hit on Sunday, with no damage reported.