BREAKING NEWS - Strong quake strikes Vanuatu Islands

No tsunami warning issued after shaker rattles South Pacific
A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the island nation of Vanuatu, the U.S. Geological Survey reported early Friday.

The magnitude was a preliminary estimate, the USGS said.

No tsunami warning was issued. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The quake was centered 144 miles northwest of Santo, Vanuatu. The quake struck at 5:04 p.m. local time (2:04 a.m. EDT) at a depth of 25 miles.

Vanuatu is located about 1,000 miles east of Australia.

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