Another powerful earthquake hits the South Pacific

Vanuatu struck by 7.1 magnitude quake, no tsunami threat

Australia, New Zealand and US issue travel warnings

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 has struck the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, but there is no tsunami threat, officials said.

The quake struck at 11:27 p.m. local time on Thursday (2:27 p.m. ET) and was centered about 15 miles (25 kilometers) east of Luganville, the second-largest city in Vanuatu.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, but authorities are warning people to stay away from the coast and be prepared for aftershocks.

Australia, New Zealand and the United States have all issued travel warnings for Vanuatu, advising citizens to defer non-essential travel and to monitor the situation closely.

This is the second major earthquake to hit Vanuatu in less than a month. On September 21, a 6.8 magnitude quake struck off the coast of the island of Tanna, causing widespread damage and killing at least five people.

Vanuatu is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is a region of high seismic and volcanic activity. The country is also home to several active volcanoes, including Mount Yasur, which is one of the most active volcanoes in the world.

The South Pacific region is frequently hit by earthquakes, and Vanuatu is particularly vulnerable because it is located near the junction of two tectonic plates. The plates are constantly moving, and when they collide, it can cause earthquakes.

The impact of the recent earthquakes on Vanuatu is still being assessed, but it is clear that the country will need international assistance to recover. The United Nations has already dispatched a team of experts to the country to help with the relief effort.