An earthquake of magnitude 7.6 hit the Pacific Ocean near the Vanuatu islands on Sunday, causing a small tsunami.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred after midnight (local time) and struck about 1,740 kilometers off the eastern coast of Australia and 135 kilometers west of Tanna, an island in Vanuatu. Its epicenter was located 140 miles south of Port Vila. No casualties or major damages have been reported.

A regional tsunami warning in Vanuatu, Fiji, New Caledonia and a portion of the Pacific was issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning center.

The center said, “An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines in the region near the epicenter within minutes to hours. Authorities in the region should take appropriate action in response to his possibility.”

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