|
A Pacific tsunami warning issued following strong earthquakes off Vanuatu has been lifted, after only a tiny wave was generated. The first quake with a magnitude of 7.8 was followed about an hour later by one of 7.1, the US Geological Survey said. The first epicentre was 295km (180 miles) north-northwest of Vanuatu's largest island, Santo, at a depth of 35km (21.7 miles). People had already begun to move to higher ground. In Vanuatu residents evacuated low-lying areas and fled to higher ground. In New Caledonia, schools in coastal areas were evacuated. More than 170 people died last week when a tsunami triggered by a quake hit Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga. All three nations were initially included in a "tsunami watch" - a lower level of alert than a tsunami warning - but were later upgraded to the warning level, before the warnings were cancelled. Earlier on Wednesday, a 6.7-magnitude quake struck off the Philippines, but no tsunami warning was issued. (BBC News )
|
