Huge 7.1 magnitude earthquake strikes off the coast of Tonga sparking a Tsunami threat warning

By KYLIE STEVENS FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 13:52 BST, 30 March 2025 | Updated: 14:41 BST, 30 March 2025

Tonga has been rocked by a powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake, sparking fears of a tsunami.

The quake was at a depth of 10km off the coast Pangai on the western side of the South Pacific island nation early Monday morning local time.

A ‘credible’ tsunami threat for the vicinity remains in place, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warned.

Hazardous waves are also possible for coastlines within 300km of the epicentre.

More than 2,000 people have reported feeling the quake which range from strong shaking to ‘light’ tremors.

There were no immediate reports of damage.

A 7.1 magnitude earthquake has been recorded off the coast of Tonga in the South Pacific

There were no immediate reports of damage from the quake which struck in the early hours of Monday morning

Very few residents have been exposed to any danger during the initial earthquake and the risk of landslides is small, according to the US Geological Survey.

The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed there is no tsunami threat to Australia, which is more than 3,500km away.

Tonga consists of 171 islands and has a population of just over 100,000.

The epicentre is near the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai, an underwater volcano spewed debris high into the atmosphere and triggered a 7.4 magnitude earthquake, sending tsunami waves crashing into the island nation, leaving it covered in ash and cut off from outside help.

It comes just days after a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar on Friday, with the death toll passing 1,600 in Myanmar and neighbouring Thailand.

More to come 

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Huge 7.1 magnitude earthquake strikes off the coast of Tonga sparking a Tsunami threat warning

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