A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck near Tonga early Monday local time, prompting a tsunami warning for the Pacific Island nation. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake occurred approximately 100 km (62 miles) northeast of the main island at a depth of 10 km (6 miles).
Germany’s GFZ Centre for Geosciences initially recorded the earthquake at a magnitude of 6.6. The shallowness of the quake increases the potential for severe ground shaking and heightens the risk of a significant tsunami.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre cautioned that hazardous waves could impact coastal areas within 300 km (185 miles) of the epicenter. However, no immediate reports of damage were available as the earthquake struck during the night.
The USGS identified Fiji and Niue as additional countries affected by the tremor. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) maintained a ‘credible’ tsunami threat for the surrounding region.
More than 2,000 people reported experiencing tremors ranging from strong shaking to light vibrations. Despite this, the USGS noted that very few residents were in immediate danger, and the risk of landslides remains low.
Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology confirmed there is no tsunami threat to the country. However, Tonga and Niue may experience tsunami waves between 0.3m and 1m. Other Pacific nations, including the Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Tuvalu, Kiribati, the Kermadec Islands, American Samoa, and Wallis and Futuna, could see waves of less than 30 cm.
This earthquake comes just two days after a devastating 7.7-magnitude quake struck Myanmar, where the death toll has risen to over 1,600 across Myanmar and neighboring Thailand. State television in Myanmar reported 1,644 fatalities, a sharp increase from earlier figures. The Myanmar quake, occurring at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), was followed by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock 12 minutes later. In response, the military-run government declared a state of emergency in six regions.
Tonga, a Polynesian country composed of 171 islands and home to about 100,000 people, has experienced major seismic activity before. In 2022, the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption triggered Earth’s largest atmospheric explosion on modern record, blanketing populated islands in ash and causing significant damage. The volcano began erupting in December 2021, culminating in a catastrophic event in mid-January 2022.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging residents in affected areas to remain alert for any further developments.
