A HUGE 7.1-magnitude earthquake has hit near Tonga and Niue in the Pacific Ocean and prompted a tsunami warning. The US Geological Survey said the temblor hit about 62 miles northeast of the main

The US Tsunami Warning Centre earlier warned waves were possible within 300 kilometres of the epicentre, which struck approximately 100 kilometres off the coast of Tonga.

Powerful earthquakes rocked Myanmar, shaking Bangkok and toppling a high-rise. With tsunami fears looming, how do quakes trigger massive ocean waves?

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake that rocked the bottom of the South Island struck in a seismic environment poorly understood by scientists – but which poses a major tsunami hazard. The 2.43pm quake hit about 167km west of Rakiura/Stewart Island.

Tonga was rocked by an earthquake which initial reports suggested could cause hazardous waves on its coastline.

It subsequently revised the assessment, saying “the tsunami threat from this earthquake has now passed”, but authorities in Tonga issued further warnings.

Tonga is a Polynesian nation consisting of 171 islands and has a population of just over 100,000 people, with majority residing on the main island, Tongatapu.

A strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit near Tonga, a country in Polynesia made up of 171 islands with a population of a little more than 100,000 people.