Tsunami warning for Pacific, following earthquakes off Vanuatu and the Philippines
A tsunami warning has been issued in the Pacific after a powerful earthquake struck 35km below sea level between Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.
The epicentre of the seven point eight magnitude quake was 295 kilometres from Luganville in Vanuatu, and 260 kilometres south of the Santa Cruz islands in Solomon Islands.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says a tsunami warning is in effect for Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, New Caledonia, Fiji, Kiribati, Kosrae, Wallis-Futuna, and Howland Baker island.
A tsunami watch is in effect for Marshall Islands, Tokelau, New Zealand, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Australia, Niue, Cook Islands, Chuuk, Kermadec Island, Pohnpei, Indonesia, Wake Island, Jarvis Island, Palmyra Island, Guam, Northern Marianas, Johnston Island, Yap, Marcus Island, and Palau. ( rnz 7/10)
Philippines Quake
A powerful earthquake has hit in the Celebes Sea area between the southern Philippines and Indonesia, but no tsunami warning has been issued.
The US Geological Survey says the six point seven magnitude quake occurred at a depth of almost 600 kilometres, more than 280 kilometres south of the Sulu archipelago.