8.1 magnitude quake hits Vanuatu

The US Geological Survey says an 8.1 magnitude earthquake struck northwest of the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu on Wednesday.

The quake's epicenter was located over 300 kilometers northwest of the island of Santo at a depth of 33 kilometers.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued a tsunami warning for Papua New Guinea and island nations in the southwest Pacific, including Fiji.