A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck southeast of Niuatoputapu late Sunday night, October 25, prompting Tonga’s National Tsunami Warning Centre to issue a no-threat advisory.
The earthquake occurred at 11.50pm, approximately 287 kilometres southeast of Hihifo, Niuatoputapu, at a shallow depth of five kilometres.
The Tonga Meteorological Service issued the advisory at 12.20am on Monday, October 26, following reports that the earthquake had been felt in Niuatoputapu.
Tsunami threat ruled out
“Based on the earthquake information above, and the felt earthquake reported from Niuatoputapu, a tsunami wave is unlikely to affect Tonga,” the advisory stated.
Authorities said the reported magnitude was provisional and could change as additional seismic data became available.
The National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) was not activated, and the advisory was declared the final message unless significant changes occurred.
No damage or injuries were reported in the advisory.
This version removes unnecessary technical coordinates, which add little to the general news report, and avoids repeating the no-tsunami-threat conclusion in the body after the official statement.