A 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck 180 kilometers (112 miles) east of Raoul Island in the Kermadec Islands at 17:57:17 UTC on October 21, 2011. This region lies on the “Ring of Fire” — an arc of earthquake and volcanic zones that stretches around the Pacific Rim.
According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, sea level readings indicated a tsunami was generated, which may have been destructive along the coasts near the earthquake epicenter, however, there is no tsunami threat for the greater Pacific region.
The earthquake occurred 870 kilometers (541 miles) south of Nuku’alofa, Tonga, and 2,978 kilometers (1,851 miles) WSW of Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia at a depth of 39 kilometers.
Reports indicate the quake was felt along the east coast of New Zealand.
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, sea level readings indicated a tsunami was generated, which may have been destructive along the coasts near the earthquake epicenter, however, there is no tsunami threat for the greater Pacific region.
- The earthquake occurred 870 kilometers (541 miles) south of Nuku'alofa, Tonga, and 2,978 kilometers (1,851 miles) WSW of Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia at a depth of 39 kilometers.
- Reports indicate the quake was felt along the east coast of New Zealand.
