WEATHER CHAT

[NYBob]

Pacific Tsunami Warning Lifted
1 hour, 22 minutes ago
(RTTNews) - A Pacific tsunami warning issued following two powerful undersea earthquakes off the Vanuatu Archipelago on Wednesday has been lifted, after only a tiny wave was generated.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey the first quake with a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter scale had its epicenter at 180 miles (295km) north-northwest of Vanuatu's largest island, Santo, at a depth of 21.7 miles (35km). This was followed about an hour later by another quake of magnitude 7.1. No immediate reports of injuries or damage to properties were reported in both the quakes.

With memories of last week's deadly series of quakes and tsunamis in the region still fresh, residents of several islands fled to higher ground and local authorities closed schools and issued alerts to stay off beaches.

More than 170 persons 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 canceled.

Earlier on Wednesday, a 6.7-magnitude quake struck off the Philippines, but no tsunami warning was issued.