Powerful earthquake in Pacific triggers tsunami threat for Tonga

While you may think quakes are a western US problem, some of the largest temblors in US history have happened in the East.

A powerful earthquake was reported in the Pacific Ocean early Monday morning local time, with officials saying there is a tsunami threat for areas near the epicenter.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), a magnitude 7.1 earthquake was reported about 56 miles southeast of Pangai, Tonga, around 1:18 a.m. local time on Monday (8:18 a.m. ET on Sunday).

A powerful earthquake was reported in the Pacific Ocean on Monday morning local time, triggering tsunami alerts.

(FOX Weather)

The earthquake was reported at a depth of about 6 miles.

According to reports on the USGS website, shaking has been reported in places like Pangai, and Nukualofa in Tonga.

According to the U.S. Tsunami Warning System, there is a threat for tsunami waves in Tonga.

No other information was immediately available.

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