An earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale jolted the sea area in Vanuatu at 0523 GMT on Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

Photo taken on Aug. 6, 2010 shows the erupting Mount Yasur volcano in Vanuatu.An earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale jolted the sea area in Vanuatu at 0523 GMT on Tuesday.[Xinhua/AFP]

The epicenter, with the depth of 66 km, was initially determined to be 17.600 degrees south latitude and 167.900 degrees east longitude. It was about 46 km west northwest of the Vanuatu capital Port Vila.

The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has not issued tsunami alert so far.