On a Monday morning that took a perilous turn, Tonga experienced a 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck approximately 62 miles northeast of the main island of Tongatapu. As the Pacific island nation grapples with this seismic event,

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Tonga overnight triggered a tsunami warning and evacuations. No damage has been reported and the tsunami warning was lifted. The earthquake was also felt on Niue. The SMC asked experts to comment.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) says an increase or decrease in global seismicity does not necessarily indicate that a large earthquake is about to occur.

A magnitude 7 earthquake struck in the hours of the Monday morning centred 79 kilometres south-southeast of Pangai in the Ha'apai group of islands.