Magnitude-7.1 earthquake hits Tonga, tsunami threat cancelled

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the waters near Tonga, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami warning for the Pacific island nation. Following the earthquake, local residents and relevant departments quickly took action to address the potential tsunami threat, ensuring public safety.

The U.S. Tsunami Warning Center subsequently canceled the tsunami advisory, stating that the threat had passed. The center indicated that slight fluctuations in wave height were detected at two buoys near the epicenter. Previously, the center had warned that coasts within 300 kilometers of the epicenter could experience a tsunami.

Geoscience Australia stated that the earthquake occurred around 11:18 p.m. on Sunday, approximately 100 kilometers northeast of Tonga. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the earthquake had a depth of 10 kilometers. Pita Taufatofua, Governor of Ha'apai, said he had never experienced such a strong earthquake. "Many things fell from tables and shelves, pictures fell from the walls, and the whole house was shaking. It was hard to stand," he said. "It lasted a long time! Never felt an earthquake last so long. Thank God we don't have high-rise buildings in Tonga." He also expressed his condolences to the victims of the earthquake in Myanmar.

Salote Sisifa, a resident of Nuku'alofa, said she expected a tsunami warning to be issued due to the intensity of the earthquake. "Within two minutes of the earthquake, the alarm went off, and we felt we had to leave," said Ms. Sisifa, CEO of Tonga Netball Association. "It's good to see the public's response was so quick." In a tsunami warning on social media, the Tonga Meteorological Service urged residents to move to higher ground, inland areas, or the third floor of reinforced concrete buildings.

A tsunami buoy located near Tonga in New Zealand showed a brief water level increase of 70 centimeters. The Australian Joint Tsunami Warning Centre stated that mainland Australia was not under threat. Tonga consists of 171 islands and is located more than 3,500 kilometers off the east coast of Australia.