7.1-Magnitude Earthquake Jolts Tonga, Triggers Tsunami Alert

A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck near Tonga, prompting a tsunami warning for the Pacific island nation, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) northeast of Tonga's main island in the early hours of Monday (local time), as reported by the USGS. In response, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued an alert, cautioning that hazardous waves could impact coastlines within 300 kilometers (185 miles) of the epicenter.

The U.S. tsunami warning system confirmed the threat, stating that hazardous tsunami waves were possible within 300 kilometers (186 miles) of the epicenter along Tonga's coast. However, there were no immediate reports of damage.

The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GeoForschungsZentrum) reported that the earthquake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers.

Tonga, a Polynesian nation composed of 171 islands, has a population of just over 100,000 people, with most residing on the main island, Tongatapu. The country lies more than 3,500 kilometers (2,000 miles) east of Australia's coast. Its islands are known for their white sandy beaches, coral reefs, and dense tropical rainforests.

Tongatapu, the largest island, is encircled by lagoons and limestone cliffs. It is home to Nuku'alofa, the kingdom's rural capital, as well as beach resorts, agricultural plantations, and the Ha'amonga ʻa Maui, an ancient coral stone gateway dating back to the 1200s.