Tsunami warnings after strong earthquake

A magnitude-8.1 earthquake struck today near the South Pacific nation of Tonga, the US Geological Survey said.

A tsunami warning was issued for Fiji and other neighbouring Pacific island nations.

The quake, classified as a “great” quake, struck 95 miles south of Neiafu, Tonga, and 1,340 miles north-northeast of Auckland, New Zealand.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, part of the US National Weather Service, issued the tsunami warning but said it was not known whether the quake generated a potentially deadly giant wave. It rated the quake as magnitude 8.1.

“An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines in the region near the epicentre within minutes to hours,” the warning said.

It warned the tsunami could strike Fiji as early as 6.13pm Irish time, New Zealand as early as 6.21pm Irish time.