Tsunami Warning Issued After 7.1 Magnitude Quake Strikes Near Tonga

A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Tonga early Monday morning (late Sunday AEDT), triggering a tsunami warning for the region.

According to the US Geological Survey, the quake hit about 100km north-east of Tonga’s main island. Soon after, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued an alert, warning that hazardous waves could affect coastlines within 300km of the epicenter.

So far, there haven’t been any reports of damage or injuries, but authorities are keeping a close watch.

Tonga, a Polynesian country made up of 171 islands, is home to just over 100,000 people, most of whom live on Tongatapu, the main island. The country sits more than 3,500km off the Queensland coast and is no stranger to seismic activity, given its location in the Pacific’s Ring of Fire.

Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, and hopefully, the impact remains minimal.