OUTLOOK
A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Tonga early Monday local time, triggering a tsunami warning for the Pacific island nation. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the quake hit approximately 100 kilometers northeast of Tonga’s main island. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned that hazardous waves could impact coastal areas within a 300-kilometer radius from the epicenter.
As of now, there have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties. Tonga, a Polynesian country made up of 171 islands, has a population of just over 100,000, with most residents living on the main island of Tongatapu. The nation is located more than 3,500 kilometers off Australia’s east coast.