An earthquake measuring 4.9 magnitude on the Richter scale struck on Thursday off the coast of Vanuatu Island in the South Pacific Ocean. The US Geological Survey (USGS) said that the earthquake occurred 160 km from the Lakatoro town in Malampa Province at a depth of 10 km. No casualties or material damage were reported as a result of the earthquake. Vanuatu Island, an archipelago of volcanic origin in the South Pacific Ocean, is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates meet and their friction with each other leads to seismic activity. Source: Qatar News Agency