The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii has now confirmed that the earthquake occurred just after 10 o'clock this morning near the Vanuatu islands at a depth of 33 kilometres.
They have also released the measurements and reports of tsunami wave activity.
In Vanuatu, waves were generated of about 0.5 metres and in Luganville, the tsunami wave activity was 0.10 metres.
Based on the magnitude of the earthquake, a large tsunami could have been generated but we are very fortunate that the threat has passed and there was no generation of a large tsunami wave.
According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre's evaluation, sea level readings indicate a tsunami was generated.
It may have been destructive along the coasts near the earthquake epicenter.
For those areas, when no major waves are observed for two hours after the estimated time of arrival or damaging waves have not occurred for at least two hours, then local authorities can assume the threat has passed.
No tsunami threat exists for other coastal areas although some may experience small sea level changes.
