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Big South Pacific quake causes tsunami


    SUVA (Reuters) - A powerful earthquake struck off the south Pacific island of Tonga on Friday and generated a tsunami capable of causing severe damage to the area, the U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre reported.

    The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude 7.9 quake struck 132 miles (212.4 km) southeast of Nuku'alofa, Tonga, at 6:17 a.m. on Friday (1817 GMT on Thursday).

    "Sea level readings confirm that a tsunami was generated. This tsunami may have been destructive along coastlines of the region near the earthquake epicentre," the U.S. National Weather Service's Pacific tsunami centre said.

    It said a tsunami warning was in effect for Tonga, Niue, Kermadec Island, American Samoa, Samoa, Wallis-Futuna and Fiji.

    The centre said the tsunami might be felt as far away as Hawaii but was not expected to cause any damage there.

    There were no initial reports of damage or sea levels rising in the island chain of Fiji, a popular resort destination.

    "There has been no damage or seas rising. Children have been told to return home from school and parents and now collecting their children," said a journalist at Fiji's radio FM96.

    (Editing by Mark Bendeich)