It was not immediately clear how much damage was caused as phone lines and government websites remained down, but reports of widespread destruction began to emerge on social media hours after the quake.
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A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck near Vanuatu’s coast in the South Pacific on Tuesday, the USGS said.
The quake occurred 30 km west of Port Vila, the country’s largest city, at a depth of 57 km, and was followed by a 5.5 magnitude aftershock.
A tsunami warning for the island nation was called off less than two hours after the quake.
Reports of widespread damage began to emerge as communication lines remained down. Videos showed collapsed buildings, landslides blocking roads, and injuries being treated outside Vila Central Hospital.
Phone numbers for the police, the hospital and other public agencies did not connect. There were no reports of casualties.
A building in Port Vila housing diplomatic missions from the United States, UK, France, and New Zealand sustained significant damage, according to New Zealand's Foreign Ministry. Officials were working to account for staff from New Zealand's High Commission, a spokesperson said.
Authorities in Australia and New Zealand, both located in the Pacific Ocean, said there was no tsunami threat to their countries.
Vanuatu is a nation made up of 80 islands with a population of around 330,000 people.