A magnitude 7.6 earthquake has struck near Tonga this evening.
The quake struck 153km west of Neiafu, in Vavaʻu, at 5.38pm at a depth of 237.5km.
The National Emergency Management Agency and GNS Science moved to assess whether the earthquake created a tsunami "that could affect New Zealand," the National Emergency Management Agency said.
"If a tsunami has been generated in this location, it is not likely to arrive in New Zealand for at least two hours."
In an update within an hour of the quake, NEMA said there was no threat to New Zealand.
"Based on current information, the assessment is that the earthquake is unlikely to have caused a tsunami that will pose a threat to New Zealand."
The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said, based on all available data, there was "no threat because the earthquake is located too deep inside the Earth".
SHARE ME