WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) – A strong submarine earthquake has hit northern New Zealand, causing tsunami warnings for several island nations.
The U.S. Geological Survey says the 7.7-magnitude quake struck Wednesday night and was centered 10 kilometers southeast of the Loyalty Islands.
The agitation was not expected to cause significant damage or death on land.
The US Tsunami Warning Center has issued warnings of possible tsunami waves ranging from 0.3 to 1 meter (1 to 3.3 feet) for Vanuatu and Fiji.
A tsunami watch was issued and then canceled for American Samoa.
The region is prone to earthquakes because it is located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, a series of horseshoe-shaped seismic fault lines around the ocean.