Tonga was rocked by a magnitude 6.6 earthquake on Monday morning 70 km northwest of Fangale'onga. Photo: USGS / Screenshot
The tsunami warning in Tonga was lifted this morning after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.6 on the Richter scale.
Tonga's Metservice issued the warning just before 10am on Monday local time (9am NZT).
At 11 a.m., based on tide gauges and advice from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, it was reported that the main threat had passed.
Unusual waves, currents and tides could continue to affect some beaches and harbors in the area for hours.
After the earthquake, people in Tonga were advised to move inland to higher ground or take shelter in the upper floors of a steel or concrete building.
The US Geological Survey said the magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck 70 kilometers northwest of Fangale'onga at a depth of 112 kilometers.