No damage expected from 7.2-magnitude quake off New Caledonia

An earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale jolted the Loyalty Islands to the east of New Caledonia, though widespread damage is not expected.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) initially recorded the quake at magnitude 7.6 causing a local tsunami warning to be issued by the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, though it was later downgraded to 7.2. The tsunami warning was later rescinded.

There were no initial reports of casualties or damage.

Geoscience Australia senior seismologist Phil Cummins told Xinhua there may have been a chance for the smaller islands in the direct vicinity to experience a tsunami, though New Caledonia and Vanuatu would likely have been spared.

The quake was also unlikely to cause significant damage, with the risk only being to the smaller islands near its epicenter, if they were inhabited at all, Cummins said.

"The shaking of this in Vanuatu and New Caledonia, it might have been felt, but it would be pretty minor," Cummins said.

"I wouldn't expect damage in New Caledonia or the major islands of Vanuatu."

Quakes are common in the Pacific as the region forms part of the "Ring of Fire," a hotspot for seismic activity due to friction between tectonic plates.

It is estimated up to a dozen quakes of this magnitude occur in the Vanuatu, Fiji and Tonga region each year. Endit