Panic as earthquake hits Tonga, sparks tsunami warnings

The United States Geological Survey (USGS), on Sunday March 30, 2025 reported a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck offshore near the Pacific island nation of Tonga .

USGS said the sudden quake has caused panic in several communities, with many residents scrambling for safety, USGS noted.

The quake also is said to have triggered tsunami warnings and waves.

USGS described the quake  as shallow, hit about 90 kilometers southeast of Pangai village.

Authorities also extended tsunami warnings to the nearby island nation of Niue.

The US Tsunami Warning System confirmed that waves reaching between 0.3 to 1 meter above tide levels were possible along the coasts of Tonga and Niue.

It had earlier warned that hazardous tsunami waves from this earthquake are possible within 300 kilometers of the epicentre.

Reacting swiftly, Tonga’s National Disaster Agency issued a safety advisory urging residents to stay away from beaches and coastal areas.

“People living in low-lying coastal areas should move to higher ground or further inland,” the agency cautioned in a Facebook post.

Tonga, an island nation with a population of around 100,000, sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a highly seismic zone prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

The Ring of Fire, a massive arc of intense tectonic activity, extends through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific Ocean.

The projection makes the region particularly vulnerable to natural disasters.

Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, and residents have been advised to remain alert.

Meanwhile, Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga, is a beautiful island country located in Polynesia, Oceania.

It is said to comprised of 171 islands, with 45 of them inhabited, and covers an impressive 800 km-long north-south line.

The capital city, Nukuʻalofa, is also situated on the largest island, Tongatapu, which spans 257 km2.

Research showed that Tonga’s geography is characterized by two types of islands.

An Island with a limestone base formed from uplifted coral formations and those with a limestone overlaying a volcanic base.

Tonga has a rich history, with the Lapita civilization being the first known inhabitants around 2,500 years ago.

Tonga is the only Pacific nation that has never been formally colonized by foreign powers.

Tonga has faced some challenges, including the devastating effects of the 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcano eruption, which caused widespread destruction and loss of life.

The country is also vulnerable to climate change, with rising sea levels and increased frequency of natural disasters posing threats.

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