A massive earthquake struck near Tonga today, forcing officials to roll out a tsunami warning for the Pacific Island nation.
The incident arose 100 km northeast of the main island early on Monday, as per reports confirmed by the US Geological Survey today.
Germany’s GFZ shared how the magnitude recorded was 7.1, while it was early pegged as 6.6. Now, greater fears for aftershocks and a tsunami arising in the region were raised.
Other reports are speaking about how the quake struck six miles deep, far shallower than the 18-mile deep Boxing Day tsunami.
The shallow quake shakes on the ground were so much more severe, and that meant the likelihood that a major tsunami might be occurring soon.
The incident arose just days after a mega earthquake hit Thailand and Myanmar, causing massive destruction and loss of life, including the collapse of skyscrapers in the country.
Hazardous waves could be possible for coasts within 300km of the quake’s epicenter, as per the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
No reports were made public about the damage that may have taken place as the quake struck in the middle of the night. The USGS listed Fiji and Niue as two other nearby countries impacted by the tremors of this earthquake.