WELLINGTON: A strong magnitude-7.2 earthquake struck Friday in the Pacific Ocean near the island nations of Vanuatu and New Caledonia, but authorities said there was no threat of a tsunami.

The United States Geological Survey said the quake hit Friday afternoon 109 kilometres (68 miles) east of New Caledonia's Hunter Island, at a depth of 10 kilometres (6 miles).

After reviewing the quake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said it didn't pose a tsunami threat.

The region sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," an arc of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean where earthquakes are common.