A second significant earthquake has struck southeast of New Caledonia's Loyalty Islands.
seismic Photo: 123RF
A 6.8 magnitude quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometres.
It came less than half an hour a 6.5 tremor in the same area, at a depth of 33 kilometres.
It was well into the sea between New Caledonia and Vanuatu; the closest landmass is the island of Maré, some 167km away.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said there was no risk of tsunami from either quakes.