Tonga Hit by 7.0 Magnitude Quake, Tsunami Threat Passes

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck near Tonga early Monday morning, causing slight damage and prompting brief evacuations before the tsunami threat subsided. The quake, which occurred at 1:18 a.m. local time, was centered about 100 kilometers (62 miles) northeast of Tongatapu, the main island.

Tsunami sirens rang out following the quake, urging residents to evacuate inland, as broadcasted in live video by the Tonga Broadcasting Commission. In the capital city, Nuku’alofa, people were observed moving to higher ground. Officials later issued an all-clear, allowing residents to return home.

In social media posts, Tongans reported successful communication with most of the islands within the archipelago. Taekwondo athlete Pita Taufatofua described the experience on Facebook, stating, “Was hard to stand up. Never felt an earthquake go for that long,” as items were knocked from shelves during the quake.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported the earthquake hit at a depth of 29 kilometers (18 miles). A second quake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale hit the same region a few hours later.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii initially issued a warning about possible hazardous waves but later declared the threat had passed, noting only minor sea-level changes were detected. Tonga’s disaster management office canceled its own warning hours after the quake.

As of early reports, there were no casualties or significant structural damage, according to Mafua Maka, director of Tonga’s disaster management office, speaking with Radio New Zealand. A complete assessment of damage will be conducted in daylight.

Tonga, situated in Polynesia, consists of 171 islands with an approximate population of 100,000, the majority living on Tongatapu. The island nation lies 1,800 kilometers (1,100 miles) northeast of New Zealand and is positioned on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region notorious for its seismic activity.

In 2022, a volcanic eruption near Tonga generated a tsunami that tragically resulted in three fatalities.