It appears that no serious injuries or damage was caused by a powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake that struck off Vanuatu on early on Sunday.
The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said on Sunday the shallow quake generated a tsunami, but it cancelled a regional warning after the wave measured only 15cm higher than normal in Vanuatu.
The quake struck at 12.16am and the initial tsunami warning covered Vanuatu, Fiji and New Caledonia.
In Vanuatu's capital, Port Vila, a member of staff at the Melanesian Port Vila Hotel said the hotel was busy with late-night Christmas revellers when the quake struck.
Residents in both Vanuatu and New Caledonia said they felt the quake but there were no large waves.
