A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck near Tonga, setting off a tsunami warning for the Pacific island nation, according to the U.S.
Geological Survey (USGS).
The USGS reported that the quake happened about 100 kilometres (62 miles) northeast of Tongas main island in the early hours of Monday (regional time).
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued an alert, warning that hazardous waves could affect shorelines within 300 kilometres (185 miles) of the epicentre.Hazardous tsunami waves from this earthquake are possible within 300 kilometres (186 miles) of the epicentre along the coasts of Tonga, the US tsunami caution system said.There were no instant reports of damage.German Research Centre for Geosciences (GeoForschungsZentrum in German) stated that the earthquake took place at a depth of 10 km.Tonga is a Polynesian country including 171 islands and has a population of just over 100,000 people, with the majority residing on the primary island, Tongatapu.
It is located more than 3,500 kilometres (2,000 miles) east of Australias coast.Most islands boast white sandy beaches, reef, and thick tropical rainforests.The main island, Tongatapu, is surrounded by lagoons and limestone cliffs.
It hosts Nukualofa, the kingdoms rural capital, along with beach resorts, plantations, and the Haamonga a Maui, a historic coral stone entrance dating back to the 1200s.
Source: AP/AFP-- Agencies