Earthquake strikes off Vanuatu

PHOTO

Earthquake strikes off Vanuatu. [ABC]

Last Updated: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 11:22:00 +1100

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake has hit off the coast of Vanuatu.

No tsunami warning has been issued.

The US Geological Survey says the quake struck around 123 kilometres southwest of the capital Port Vila at 3:40 AM Vanuatu time.

The Hong Kong Observatory gave the quake a magnitude of 6.5 while Geoscience Australia registered it as 6.3. It had a depth of four kilometres.

There are no immediate reports of casualties or damage and the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has not issued a tsunami warning.

Seismologist Eddie Leask, from Geoscience Australia, has told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat it's the latest in a series of tremors in recent days.

"This was an aftershock to be precise," he said.

"A couple of days ago at about half past midnight on the third of February our time, there was a magnitude 7.3 near Vanuatu in roughly the same region, and since then there's been, we've measured eleven earthquakes over magnitude five in the region, including six over magnitude six."

Cyclone Jasmine

Meanwhile, a tropical cyclone is strengthening as it makes its way towards Port Vila in Vanuatu.

The Vanuatu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre says Cyclone Jasmine which is currently a category two cyclone is moving in an easterly direction.

Suva-based Nadraki weather expert, Neville Koop, has told Radio Australia it's currently due north of north western tip on New Caledonia.

"It's probably another 12 to 18 hours away from affecting Vanuatu yet, but it is intensifying as it moves almost due east out of the Coral Sea and into Vanuatu," Mr Koop said.

"It has developed quite nicely overnight and is starting to show, all indications of becoming a stronger cyclone, perhaps a category three by later today."