Magnitude 7 earthquake hits South Pacific

Monday, 20/11/2017 16:23
An earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale struck in the South Pacific, prompting a tsunami warning for coastlines within 300 km of the epicentre.

(Photo: Reuters)

The quake, initially reported as 7.3 on the Richter scale, struck about 82 km east of New Caledonia’s Loyalty Islands at 09h43 local time at a shallow depth of 10 km, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The quake was the second major tremor in the same area in less than 24 hours, and the third in the past month.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) said hazardous tsunami waves were possible along the coastlines of New Caledonia and Vanuatu.

"Government agencies responsible for threatened coastal areas should take action to inform and instruct any coastal populations at risk," the PTWC said in an alert.

There was no tsunami threat to the coastlines of Australia, New Zealand or Hawaii, according to authorities./.

 

Compiled by BTA

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