A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck off Vanuatu and triggered a tsunami warning. The rupture occurred under the ocean near the Pacific island nation rather than on land. Vanuatu sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where colliding tectonic plates produce frequent and often destructive quakes. Warnings of this kind typically instruct coastal residents to move inland and uphill until officials confirm the danger has passed. No immediate reports described casualties or damage on the islands. Strong aftershocks are common after a rupture of this size, and monitoring agencies were expected to keep tracking the sequence. The tsunami alert will stand or be lifted depending on readings from tide gauges and buoys in the hours that follow.