PORT VILA - The U.S. Geological Survey says a magnitude 6.7 earthquake has hit the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu. There are no reports of damage or injuries.

The monitoring agency says the earthquake hit just after 6 p.m. local time and was centred 129 miles (208 kilometres) southeast of Port Vila, the capital. It hit at a depth of about 19 miles (31 kilometres). The agency originally said the quake was 7.1, but revised the magnitude downward.

The region lies on the "Ring of Fire" -- an arc of earthquake and volcanic zones that stretches around the Pacific Rim. About 90 per cent of the world's quakes occur in the region.