Earthquake shakes New Caledonia; There is a risk of a tsunami

(CNN) – Tsunamis were seen in Vanuatu and New Caledonia, the islands closest to the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that occurred just after midnight local time, but no tsunami is expected across the Pacific Ocean.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported tsunami wave heights of 0.64 meters in Vanuatu and 0.38 meters in New Caledonia.

New Zealand, Fiji and Vanuatu face the most important threats, which according to PTWC (Pacific Tsunami Warning Center) could see waves of up to one meter in the next two hours. Actual beach water levels can vary significantly from tsunami heights reported, depending on local geography.

Initially it was reported that the earthquake was of magnitude 7.5. The quake hit the southern Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, 400 kilometers east of New Caledonia, according to the US Geological Survey. Although located far enough from the ground to not cause seismic damage, a large earthquake may have caused a dangerous tsunami for the islands of the South Pacific.