A small tsunami has been recorded in Vanuatu following a magnitude 7.7 earthquake early this morning.

The earthquake struck the far Pacific, close to the Loyalty Islands north of New Zealand, at a depth of 37 kilometres.

Following the seismic activity small tsunami waves up to a metre tall were expected on some of Vanuatu’s coasts, waves of half a metre have already been recorded.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre says that 25 island groups could see higher tides and waves, while Australia issued a tsunami threat for Lord Howe Island.

Citizens in Vanuatu were also warned to seek higher ground following the earthquake.

Vanuatu sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area that sees nearly 81% of the planet’s earthquakes and is home to 75% of Earth’s volcanoes.

Approximately 40,000 km long, the horseshoe shaped ring is the result of tectonic plate movement. Much of its boundaries consist of subduction zones, where one plate is pushed down into the Earth by a plate above becoming magma.

There is also a transform boundary between the Pacific and North American plates where the two rub against each other producing earthquakes.

Earlier this year Vanuatu saw Cyclones Judy and Kevin hitting back-to-back. On the same day that Kevin arrived two strong earthquakes were also recorded. Check out our coverage from the day below.