Earthquake Hits Tonga, Tsunami Warning Issued

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Tonga Islands on Sunday, March 30, 2025, as reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The tremor was centered approximately 90 kilometers southeast of the village of Pangai and prompted a tsunami warning from the US Tsunami Warning Center. The alert cautioned that hazardous tsunami waves, potentially reaching between 0.3 to 1 meter above tide levels, could impact coastlines in both Tonga and the nearby island nation of Niue.

In response to the situation, authorities in Tonga advised residents to avoid beaches and low-lying coastal areas, urging those living in vulnerable regions to relocate to higher ground. The Tonga National Disaster Risk Management Office emphasized the need for precaution on their official Facebook page. As of now, there are no reports of damage or casualties.

Tonga, an archipelago consisting of over 170 islands, is situated more than 3,500 kilometers off the east coast of Australia and lies along the Ring of Fire—an area known for its significant seismic activity. This earthquake comes shortly after a separate 7.7 magnitude quake was recorded in Myanmar.