Summary
Estimated Population Exposed to Earthquake Shaking Est. Modified
Mercalli Intensity Est. Population
Exposure (k = x1000) Perceived Shaking Potential Structure Damage Resistant Vulnerable X 0 Extreme V. Heavy V. Heavy IX 0 Violent Heavy V. Heavy VIII 0 Severe Moderate/Heavy Heavy VII 0 Very Strong Moderate Moderate/Heavy VI 1k Strong Light Moderate V 83k Moderate V. Light Light IV 0* Light None None II-III --* Weak None None I --* Not Felt None None *Estimated exposure only includes population within the map area.
Population Exposure Population per ˜1 square km from Landscan 2005
Selected City Exposure
MMI City Population VI Havelu 3k V Vaini 2k V 'Ohonua 1k Shaking Intensity MMI
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though some resistant structures exist. A magnitude 8.0 earthquake occurred in the Tonga region 100 km west of the location of this earthquake on June 22, 1977 (UTC), with estimated population exposures of 47,000 at intensity VII and 1,000 at intensity VI, with no reported fatalities.
PAGER results are generally available on the Internet within 30 minutes of the earthquake's occurrence. However, information on the extent of shaking will be uncertain in the minutes and hours following an earthquake and typically improves as additional sensor data and reported intensities are acquired and incorporated into models of the earthquake's source. Users of PAGER exposure estimates should account for uncertainty and always seek the most current PAGER release for any earthquake.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a magnitude 7.9 earthquake has struck in the Pacific Ocean approximately  south-southeast of Nuku'Alofa, Tonga, generating a tsunami.  It struck at 6:17 a.m. (local time) and was registered at a depth of only 6.2 miles (10km).

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) had earlier issued a tsunami warning for Tonga, Fiji, American Samoa, Samoa, Niue and the Kermadec Islands, which was later canceled.  The warning did not include Hawaii.

"Sea level readings confirm that a tsunami was generated. This tsunami may have been destructive along coastlines of the region near the earthquake epicenter," said the PTWC in a statement posted on their website. The size of the tsunami was not known.

There were no reports of damage, injuries or deaths. According to the USGS, over 6,000 people live in the region hit by the quake. The USGS says damage could be minor in Havelu and 'Ohonua of Tonga, but residents are not concerned. One resident said that when morning arrived, people were "laughing" at the tsunami warning. No major waves were reported.

On Wednesday, a volcano near the country's coastline began to erupt sending plumes of smoke and ash into the sky. The volcano is roughly  from the Tonga coast.