Magnitude 7 Earthquake Strikes Off Tonga, Tsunami Alert Lifted
A magnitude 7 earthquake struck near Tonga on March 30, 2025, leading to initial tsunami fears that were later dismissed by the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake, centered off Pangai, caused no immediate damage or casualties. Tonga's National Disaster Management Office advised residents in coastal areas to seek higher ground.
hassan benyoub 
Nuku‘alofa, March 30, 2025 – A magnitude 7 earthquake rattled the waters off the Tonga Islands in the Pacific Ocean on Sunday, prompting initial fears of a tsunami that were later dismissed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The quake, which struck at 12:19 GMT, was centered approximately 80 kilometers (49 miles) south-southeast of Pangai village, at a shallow depth that amplified its potential impact.
The U.S. Tsunami Warning System initially cautioned that “hazardous tsunami waves” could strike within 300 kilometers of the epicenter, threatening Tonga’s coastline. Early projections warned of waves ranging from 0.3 to 1 meter above sea level along parts of Tonga and Niue, two low-lying South Pacific nations. However, by mid-afternoon, the agency lifted the alert, stating, “Based on all available data, the tsunami threat from this earthquake has now passed.”
Tonga’s National Disaster Management Office had swiftly urged residents to steer clear of beaches and coastal areas. “People living in low-lying coastal zones are requested to move to higher ground or inland,” the agency posted on Facebook, reflecting the archipelago’s vulnerability to seismic events.
Situated along the volatile Ring of Fire—a tectonic hotspot stretching across Southeast Asia and the Pacific Basin—Tonga’s 100,000 residents are no strangers to earthquakes. Sunday’s tremor, while significant, caused no immediate reports of damage or casualties, though its shallow nature had raised concerns about aftershocks or localized disruptions.
