A major 6.8 magnitude undersea earthquake struck east of New Caledonia this afternoon, the US Geological Survey says.
The quake, at a shallow depth of 16.7 kilometres, did not trigger a tsunami, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii and the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre.
The quake was centred 126 kilometres east of Tadine in New Caledonia's Loyalty Islands.
News agencies say there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
A spokesman for the government in Noumea, and staff of two hotels contacted by Reuters said they did not feel the quake.
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