6.8 earthquake strikes off Vanuatu, 6.2 off Japan

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck off Vanuatu early morning, however a tsunami is not expected.

The United States Geological Survey reported the quake struck at 1.34am (local and NZT), 355km northeast of Port Vila, at a depth of 48km.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said based on available data a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected.

The jolt is one of four large quakes in the region in the last 24 hours, with a magnitude 6.2 striking near Vanuatu and a magnitude 6.8 hitting Papua New Guinea yesterday morning, and magnitude 6.2 striking off the east coast of Japan's Honshu island at 2.58am NZT today.

- NZ Herald staff