A magnitude 7.7 earthquake has struck south-east of New Caledonia's Loyalty Islands and a tsunnami warning is in place for several countries.
Geoscience Australia says the quake, which struck early this morning, had an epicentre 400 kilometres east of the town of Tadine.
Seismic data indicates the undersea earthquake struck at a depth of 54 kilometres.
The New Caledonian government's Civil Safety agency said there was little impact from this morning's earthquakes.
People in the capital Noumea largely missed the initial quake as many were asleep.
Photo: USGS
Following the large quake, parts of the surrounding Pacific regoin were alerted to a tsunami threat.
Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said waves of 41 centimetres height came ashore at Norfolk Island.
The Gold Coast also experienced a small tsunami, of 35 centimetres. A similar sized tsunami was recorded in Vanuatu.
A number of significant aftershocks have taken place, the largest of which was a 6.7 which struck at a depth of 10 kilometres at around half past eight local time.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said there was no regional tsunami threat.