Pacific Islands on Tsunami Alert After Magnitude 7.5 Offshore Quake

The quake struck off the coast of Vanuatu.

Australian authorities say there is no risk of a tsunami on Australia's coastlines. Image: Geoscience Australia

The U.S. Tsunami Warning System has issued an alert for a host of Pacific Islands following a powerful 7.2 magnitude quake which struck off the coast of Vanuatu.

The quake struck at 12.47 p.m. Vanuatu time about 30 kilometres west of Vanuatu’s capital Port Villa, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.