James Powel, USA TODAY

Sun, March 30, 2025 at 9:34 PM GMT+31 min read

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A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Tonga early Monday morning, prompting a tsunami warning that has since been lifted.

The U.S. Geological Survey said that the earthquake hit about 62 miles northeast of the main island of Tongatapu at around 1:18 a.m. local time.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a warning that was rescinded about an hour after the earthquake. Locals were not advised to return to their homes by the Tonga Meteorological Services − according to the Tongan news outlet Talanoa o Tonga.

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The area has seen six aftershocks, all with a magnitude of greater than 4.5, according to the USGS.

There were no initial reports of damage caused by the earthquake.

Tonga temblor follows Myanmar disaster

The earthquake that rattled Tonga comes days after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, killing nearly 1,700 and destroying structures across the country.

While the world is asking in scorn, “Where is the promise of His coming?” the signs are rapidly fulfilling. While men are crying, “Peace and safety,” sudden destruction is coming. The Spirit of God is being withdrawn from the earth, and calamity is following calamity by land and by sea. Tempests and earthquakes, fires and floods, are heard of on every hand. Only in God can security be found. RH May 21,  1901, par. 4

Images from the Southeast Asian country on Saturday show the aftermath of the earthquake and tremors, including a 6.4-magnitude aftershock.

The judgments of God are in the land. Calamities are following one another in quick succession. Shall we allow these things to be, without telling people what they mean, and how to escape the destruction soon to come upon all the world? Shall we allow men and women to go down into the darkness without having been told how to gain a preparation for the future life? RH April 28,  1904, par. 1

Predictive modeling by the USGS suggests the death toll could reach as high as 10,000 people.

“This is not just a disaster; it is a complex humanitarian crisis layered over existing vulnerabilities,” Alexander Matheou, Red Cross regional director for Asia Pacific, said in a press release Sunday.

Troublous times are before us. The judgments of God are abroad in the land. Calamities follow one another in rapid succession. Soon God is to rise out of his place to shake terribly the earth, and to punish the inhabitants for their iniquity. Then he will stand up in behalf of his people, and will give them his protecting care. He will throw his everlasting arms around them to shield them from all harm. RH April 14,  1904, par. 19

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tonga rattled by 7.0 magnitude earthquake, aftershocks