US cancels tsunami alert after Vanuatu quake

A massive earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale hit South Pacific Island Republic of Vanuatu at 4:14 am local time (22:44 IST) on Friday, which sparked United States to issue a tsunami alert for New Caledonia, Solomon and Vanuatu islands.

However, later the alert was cancelled when the readings of the sea level didn't show signs an incoming tsunami.

"If a tsunami was generated, it does not pose a threat to any areas outside the epicentral region," the Tsunami Warning Center said in a bulletin.

The epicenter of the earthquake was around 300 miles northwest of Port Vila, capital of Vnauatu, with a depth of 22 miles.

According to initial reports, no damage to life or property was reported following the quake.