“7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Triggers Tsunami Waves in Pacific Ocean”

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 in the Pacific Ocean, recorded today, has caused small tsunami waves in Vanuatu, the Associated Press reported, BTA reported.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said waves of less than half a meter were measured off Lenakel, a port city in the island nation. Smaller waves have also been measured elsewhere off Vanuatu and the island of New Caledonia.

Authorities in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia have allowed citizens evacuated from the coast to return to their homes after the tsunami warning was cancelled, reports TASS. Vanuatu’s National Disaster Management Authority has advised people to evacuate coastal areas to higher ground. The service said people should listen to their radio stations for updates and take other precautions.

New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency said it expected coastal areas to be affected by strong and unusual currents and waves. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center also said small waves were possible in Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Guam and other Pacific islands.

The US Geological Survey said the earthquake, which occurred near the Loyalty Islands, was at a depth of 37 kilometers. The epicenter was southwest of Fiji, north of New Zealand and east of Australia, where the Coral Sea meets the Pacific Ocean. The area is part of the “Pacific Ring of Fire” where most of the world’s earthquakes occur.