A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the coast of the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu on Wednesday, triggering a tsunami warning for local areas.

The quake occurred at 9:10 p.m. some 20 kilometers north of the village of Port-Olry on the island of Espiritu Santo in the Sanma Province, at a depth of 89.5 km, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that tsunami waves were possible for coasts located within 300 km of the quake's epicenter.