For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails
An earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale has struck off the Vanuatu archipelago in the Pacific Ocean.
The US Geological Survey said it struck in the centre of Erromago, the fourth largest island, which has a population of just under 2,000 people.
But its depth of 124.4 miles would have dampened its effect, it said, and there have been no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the quake currently did not pose a tsunami threat
Situated to the east of Australia, the island chain is in the so called "Ring of Fire", which is prone to earthquakes.
It was the fourth major earthquake to strike around the world in the last 24 hours - following one in Mexico that measured a magnitude of 7.1, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake in New Zealand and another one with a magnitude of 6.1 striking off the coast of Japan - around 200 miles east of Fukushima .
The Japanese quake comes just six years after a tsunami sparked by an earthquake in the Pacific hit the nuclear plant in Fukushima , causing a major disaster - with the water disabling the emergency generators required to cool the reactors at the plant after they had automatically shut down.
Mexico City earthquake in picturesShow all 13 1 /13Mexico City earthquake in pictures Mexico City earthquake in pictures A handout picture provided by the citizen Edgar Cabalceta shows a general view of Mexico City following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake, in Mexico City, Mexico
EPA
Mexico City earthquake in pictures Rescuers and residents look for victims amid the ruins of a building knocked down by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that jolted central Mexico damaging buildings, knocking out power and causing alarm throughout the capital on September 19, 2017 in Mexico City, Mexico. The earthquake comes 32 years after a magnitude-8.0 earthquake hit on September 19, 1985
Getty Images
Mexico City earthquake in pictures A police officer stands guard near a building which collapsed after a quake rattled Mexico City
RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images
Mexico City earthquake in pictures Rescuers, firefighters, policemen, soldiers and volunteers remove rubble and debris from a flattened building in search of survivors after a powerful quake in Mexico City
AFP/Getty Images
Mexico City earthquake in pictures Rescuers and residents look for victims amid the ruins of a building knocked down by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that jolted central Mexico damaging buildings, knocking out power and causing alarm throughout the capital on September 19, 2017 in Mexico City
Getty Images
Mexico City earthquake in pictures People try to rescue survivors from a collapsed buildings after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake on the Richter scale in Mexico City, Mexico, 19 September 2017. At least 79 people lost their lives in the states of Morelos, Puebla and Mexico by the earthquake of magnitude 7.1 on the Richter scale.
EPA
Mexico City earthquake in pictures People clear rubble after an earthquake hit Mexico City, Mexico
REUTERS
Mexico City earthquake in pictures People clear rubble after an earthquake hit Mexico City, Mexico
REUTERS
Mexico City earthquake in pictures Rescuers and residents assists an injured victim amid the ruins of a building knocked down by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that jolted central Mexico damaging buildings, knocking out power and causing alarm throughout the capital on September 19, 2017 in Mexico City, Mexico. The earthquake comes 32 years after a magnitude-8.0 earthquake hit on September 19, 1985.
Getty Images
Mexico City earthquake in pictures People remove debris outside a collapsed building after an earthquake in Mexico City, Mexico
REUTERS
Mexico City earthquake in pictures People remove debris as they search for possible victims after a quake rattled Mexico City on September 19, 2017. A powerful earthquake shook Mexico City on Tuesday, causing panic among the megalopolis' 20 million inhabitants on the 32nd anniversary of a devastating 1985 quake. The US Geological Survey put the quake's magnitude at 7.1 while Mexico's Seismological Institute said it measured 6.8 on its scale. The institute said the quake's epicenter was seven kilometers west of Chiautla de Tapia, in the neighboring state of Puebla.
AFP/Getty Images
Mexico City earthquake in pictures A security guard walks over debris of a building which collapsed during a quake in Mexico City
AFP/Getty
Mexico City earthquake in pictures Reconstruction work in the towns affected by the telic movement has begun. Several temples suffered severe damage.
Rex
The disaster claimed the lives of 15,894 deaths, left over 6,000 injured and more than 2,500 people missing.
Millions of homes were destroyed and millions of families were evacuated from the area surrounding the Fukushima plant and many are yet to return as there are still concerns about the effect of radiation in the atmosphere .
The incident lead to Japan closing all 54 of its nuclear plants for a time but five are now back online.
Additional reporting by agencies
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies