Powerful magnitude-7.3 quake hits off Vanuatu in South Pacific

A magnitude-7.3 earthquake hit off the coast of the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu early Friday, according to Reuters.

The earthquake struck offshore 60 miles southeast of the town of Santo, and at a depth of 6.2 miles, shortly before 7 a.m. local time, the United States Geological Survey said.

There was no immediate Pacific-wide tsunami threat from the powerful quake, according to Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

However, the agency said that "hazardous tsunami waves" were possible within 180 miles of the epicenter, along the Vanuatu coast.

Vanuatu is an archipelago of volcanic origin located about 1,100 miles northeast of Australia.