SUVA – Two major earthquakes struck Vanuatu in quick succession within five minutes on Saturday, prompting the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center to issue a tsunami warning.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 jolted 197 km west-northwest of Port-Olry at 13:31 local time and the other with a magnitude of 6.3 jolted 170 km northwest of Port-Olry at 13:35 local time.

Both earthquakes occurred at a depth of 10 km, the USGS said.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued a tsunami warning based on the quakes.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

Pacific island countries such as Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu lie on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of earthquake and volcanic zones where continental plates collide, producing frequent seismic activity.