6.8 earthquake

The 6.8 magnitude quake struck about 200 kilometres off Apia at a depth of about 32 kilometres.

RNZI reports people were terrified as the quake reminded them of the disastrous tsunami that hit in 2009.

The earthquake lasted for about a minute.

There was no tsunami.

The quake was recorded at a depth of 175 km and was located about 115 km north of Vanuatu's Santo island just before 2 am New Zealand time, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.

There was no immediate tsunami warning or any reports of damage or casualties.